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gareth.ky · 07-20-2008, 10:43 PM

For Flight #2 Jim suggested I go in 1/2 a turn on the high speed needle. I also got all the trim out of it and centered up all the sub trims. The flight went fine and I just did some laps around the field.

I set up for a touch and go and the motor just died. It was going too fast and wound up hitting the fence and the end of the field. I flared it at the last second and the fence kinda gave so it was all good. We could see most of the bolts in the cowl had fallen out and it was a little ripped on one side. then I noticed that the header had come loose (no locktite). The CF tail gear was cracked. It was also basically out of fuel.

I ran to Ace for replacement hardware and Jim donated some bonded washers to secure the cowl & CA to fix the tail wheel. Soon it was good to go. I used locktite on the header bolts this time. I'm using the gasket that came from DA but apparently the red silicone works better.

For flight #3 we went in another 1/8 turn on the high speed. It flew great and I did a CG test (roll inverted on 45 up line) and its perfect. Its not changing pitch with throttle either. I kept switching from 1 click of up trim back to center. It just slightly sinks at zero trim but my elevators may not be perfectly centered.

I was getting more adventurous, doing some basic IMAC maneuvers. I don't have much time on it yet but it does everything I ask without an issue. Its a great confidence builder. After the flight everything looked like it was in the same place. I took off the cowl and tightened the header bolts while it was still hot.

On start up of Flight #4 some observant club member who's name escapes me said the motor was loose. We checked the bolts and sure enough he was right. I had lock nuts on those so it must be the plywood compressing.

I flew a little and then handed the sticks to Jim. When he was done I realized I forgot the timer so I did some slow rolls and set up for a perfect landing. Nice way to end the day.

Took it all apart and found the landing gear is coming loose. More locktite!

A big thanks to Jim Flannigan and Greg Ward for helping me out.

07-20-2008, 10:43 PM	#350
gareth.ky Caymanian Pirate Code Monkey Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Mustang OK, USA Age: 29 Posts: 1,688	Flights 2, 3 & 4 For Flight #2 Jim suggested I go in 1/2 a turn on the high speed needle. I also got all the trim out of it and centered up all the sub trims. The flight went fine and I just did some laps around the field. I set up for a touch and go and the motor just died. It was going too fast and wound up hitting the fence and the end of the field. I flared it at the last second and the fence kinda gave so it was all good. We could see most of the bolts in the cowl had fallen out and it was a little ripped on one side. then I noticed that the header had come loose (no locktite). The CF tail gear was cracked. It was also basically out of fuel. I ran to Ace for replacement hardware and Jim donated some bonded washers to secure the cowl & CA to fix the tail wheel. Soon it was good to go. I used locktite on the header bolts this time. I'm using the gasket that came from DA but apparently the red silicone works better. For flight #3 we went in another 1/8 turn on the high speed. It flew great and I did a CG test (roll inverted on 45 up line) and its perfect. Its not changing pitch with throttle either. I kept switching from 1 click of up trim back to center. It just slightly sinks at zero trim but my elevators may not be perfectly centered. I was getting more adventurous, doing some basic IMAC maneuvers. I don't have much time on it yet but it does everything I ask without an issue. Its a great confidence builder. After the flight everything looked like it was in the same place. I took off the cowl and tightened the header bolts while it was still hot. On start up of Flight #4 some observant club member who's name escapes me said the motor was loose. We checked the bolts and sure enough he was right. I had lock nuts on those so it must be the plywood compressing. I flew a little and then handed the sticks to Jim. When he was done I realized I forgot the timer so I did some slow rolls and set up for a perfect landing. Nice way to end the day. Took it all apart and found the landing gear is coming loose. More locktite! A big thanks to Jim Flannigan and Greg Ward for helping me out. __________________ *Sawdust* is weight leaving the *airframe. Whether you think you can* or you *can't... your right*.