Randy, you actually got the plane in about half the pictures
just a brief update on the trimming process, I am kinda lazy today,, got back from portland about one this morning,, only about 7 hours drive,, not as long as Pats,, so instead of rewriting the whole thing, I am just pasting the report I made to Shultzie via email..
Trimming is progressing nicely, Scott and I bench trimmed it to the expected specs, then added a 1/4 ounce tip weight, a half ounce nose weight, and moved the leadouts back an 1/8 for insurance.
After about a dozen flights, I have removed the tip weight, moved the lead-outs forward, moved the landing gear forward, and narrowed my handle spacing a fair amount. as well as shortening the down line at the handle, now she flies pretty honest. I found that trying to do the top of the squares, it was wanting to drift towards the canopy, and level flight wanted to be at 7 or 8 feet. After conferring with Pat and Randy, I decided the trick was to shorten the down line, which then would let the plane fly level across the top of the squares when I hold my hand in its muscle memory position, same with level flight. It made a HUGE difference. Then moved the lead-outs forward a bit to eliminate some yaw. Its flying pretty well now. I decided that I would not fly it in the contest, just not enough handle time for me yet. I started out with a Thunder tiger 12.5 x 5.5 prop, Randy's recommendation, I set the needle for 8800 rpm, and had 5.0 to 5.1 second lap times right off the bat. after several flights, Pat suggested I try the paddle prop he had on his shark some years ago, its smaller diameter, but wider blades. The first flight on it I was doing 5.4 second laps, with BETTER line tension even flying slower,, very interesting in deed. got the lap times back to the 5.1 range and its pretty happy now. the Squares have settled down, after I narrowed the handle spacing. Two sad notes, the first flight, as I landed, I moved my hand to neutral position as I do with all my other planes. I had the gear to far back apparently, and it tipped up onto its nose scraping the bottom of the cowl badly. I can repair it, and fix it with a dark trim colored scallop most likely. I was really hoping it got the spinner, much easier to fix,, sigh, oh well. The second thing, about flight 6 after landing, Randy says, hey your pilot committed suicide,, nice, the pilots head broke off at the neck. Now THAT pissed me off, but what can you do. I have a game plan for fixing it, just going to take some time. Short story, she flies wonderful so far, no major vices, and rock solid at level flight. PLENTY of corner,, and nice smooth rounds. I hope I can get more time on her before regional s, I think she will serve me well.
Topic: The Avenger is in color , again, NOW WITH TEST FLIGHT INFORMATION (Read 6430 times)
