Finally a day where the park was empty, it wasn't raining and I got up the guts to fly. I have flown once in 36 years and that was 11 years ago.
Well,my P40 ARF wasn't getting younger and neither was I. I set up, did the pull test, anchored the stooge and in general had everything ready to go. Tank was filled, stop watch around my neck, tach in my shirt pocket and my lucky shop towel in my hip pocket. Choke, bump over and flip. It was easier on the break-in bench, but it finally fired up. The needle took a tweak.
Out to the handle went I, watching the plane all the time and took my position at the center, checked up and down and then pulled the stooge line. Up she went!
It was scary at first. I marveled at the fact that I didn't keel over. The plane seemed a bit jumpy, but it might have been me or the line spacing. It responded OK, but it looked like the outboard wing was low. Also, I was using .018 lines because my new .015s were missing a thimble. So, I flew and tried a few tricks. A wingover was successful, as were inside loops, inverted flight, inside squares and triangles. The problem came when I tried a horizontal 8, only to have the second loop include the ground on the bottom.
I lost a needle valve, prop, stab and rudder. The wing was unharmed. The breaks were clean and it looks like a couple of hours work will make it all better.
I do have some trimming to do. I am not sure I am getting enough elevator and I may need to adjust pushrod length. I think the CG is very close to spec, but am tempted to add a tiny bit of noseweight. Tip weight will not be changed until my new .015 lines come in.
Well, the ice has been broken, or rather the sod in the park has been broken. I am so glad to have tried and even failed. This can be dealt with. I never met an airplane I couldn't tame.
Topic: It's Official. I Flew Today! (Read 1398 times)