Ares Flies!!!

[Matt Colan]

Today, I finally got the Ares out to fly.  Initial test flights say that the plane has considerable promise.  I didn't do any maneuvers since the first flight had a way over-lean run.  I did do non-reverse wingovers, and the plane seemed to rotate around the high-point of the wing, which seemed very good. I hit the corner and it stayed right there.  Another good thing about this plane is it has a great profile.

I might not be able to fly for a couple of weeks, since it is supposed to rain tomorrow and get cold, so it may be a while to here more detailed reports.

[john e. holliday]

Just think, if it wasn't for school, you could be here in Tuscon flying it.  There are many people here this week that would be willing to help you trim it.  DOC Holliday

[mike mullis]

Good to hear Matt...i love the Ares....super cool plane in my book....yours is top notch...super neato......wish i was in tucson............

[Matt Colan]

Just think, if it wasn't for school, you could be here in Tuscon flying it.  There are many people here this week that would be willing to help you trim it.  DOC Holliday

Oh John you have no idea.  I would like to get to Tuscon sometime, but it may have to wait until I graduate. 

[Matt Colan]

Here are some technical detail on the Ares.

It weighs 43 ounces, just what I was aiming for. It is powered by an OS .35S with a tongue muffler and Master Airscrew 10-6 wood prop. The engine tached at about 8600 rpm, and ran well during the second flight. Since I wasn't sure if the engine was broken in enough, I didn't want to do any maneuvers, because I didn't want it to quit in the wrong spot. Also the flight before, the engine leaned out and sounded like a combat engine.

When the engine quits, you can't force this airplane down, it just glides down for almost 2 laps and just wants to stay up in the air. Line tension is good everywhere. I don't know the lap times, but I guess they were right around 5.0.

Can't wait to get it flying again 

[Mark Scarborough]

way to go Matt,
first flights are always a combination of terror and exhiliration.
now that the first one is out of the way you can fly and learn, trim and fly,, enjoy,,,,

[Matt Colan]

THanks Mark!!!  Saturday looks promising to get more flights in

[Matt Colan]

MUST READ!!!

Today, I got more trim flights on the Ares. This plane flies very well. All I need to do is get the wing level and the tank adjusted and should fly really good. I switched props from a Master Airscrew 10-6 to a Top Flite Powerpoint 10-6, and the plane seems to have plenty of drive with that prop.

I had a near disaster also. Since the grass is a little on the long side, I asked my grandfather to hand launch me. He launched it and as soon as he let go the plane came in at me. I ran like a bat out of he** to get line tension back. It was about a lap before I got a jolt and line tension came back. That shook me up and didn't get my nerve back until my next flight (about 20 minutes later). That is the last time I will ever ask for a hand launch.

[Bryan Higgins]

Matt
Good job Matt. Man i sure like the looks of your Ares.