SL3 takes its first flights....

[Scott Richlen]

I took the new SL3 out yesterday for its first flights.  It has a couple of trimming issues (outer tip down on upright and down on inverted) and doesn't turn as quick as my Silver Lancer #2 (I'll try a larger handle first and then add tail weight).

I've included the required "before" picture (you know what happened when I forgot to take this one time on a previous first flight of a new plane!)  and a few others....

Scott

[john e. holliday]

I love it, the color and design.  Too bad the exhaust couldn't come out the fake exhaust stacks.

[Derek Barry]

If it is flying that far down both right side up and upside down I would say that you have way too much tip weight in the plane.

Just my .02

Derek

[Scott Richlen]

Thanks Derek!  Actually, it does need some trimming as it flies tip down when upright and tip up when inverted (which is evident in the photo of the inverted pass.)   The picture of it overhead may have been in a gust of wind, so can't be used for diagnosis.

Here is the embarrassing part - I am a miserably slow builder and this plane is about three generations behind.  I started building it in the "tweak the flaps" era.  So it doesn't have an adjustable trim tab, so now I have to figure out how to neatly retro-fit one.  I have retro-fitted a Rabe rudder on it since it's predecessor (my Silver Lancer number 2) was significantly improved when a Rabe rudder was added to it.

It also doesn't turn as sharp as its predecessor, so I'm going to try a handle with wider line spacing.  If that doesn't work, I'll add some tail weight.

Scott

[Derek Barry]

I have been known to take a couple years to build a plane so don't feel bad. I would not worry too much about the trim tab till you get some weight out and the wings are closer to level both directions. Then small tweaks can be made, even without the trim tab.

I wider handle spacing will give you more turn and more leverage, this is how my planes are setup too. A two blade prop will give you a little more corner too, not that you cant get it with the three blade. I use a 3 blade myself.

Derek

By the way, the plane looks awesome!

[Steve Fitton]

Looks awesome Scott!  I bet it trims out quickly.