Originally Posted by Richo

Told ya!

Well done with the 3m dude, you did a good job

Cheers! You can stop asking me when it will be done hehe.
You coming up to Hervey Bay?

Congrats Dan

Looking forward to seeing you and your new 3m at Harvey Bay.

Bones

Can't make Hervey Bay, Julie is having a foot opperation on the Friday before, looks like I will be playing nurse for a bit! (Could be interesting, hope the uniform still fits :-)

Congrats on the maiden, The CG on my 260 is set at 100mm, I initially had it set at 96 mm but really like the way it flies set at 100mm, definitely lands easier with the CG at 100mm.

BB

Originally Posted by MrFollies

I finally got my Compy Extra 260 finished. Today was maiden day.
I, like most people who have dealings with DA Australia am continually astounded by the level of support these guys give.

In my case, having purchased the airframe, engine, spinner, prop and most extras as a 2nd hand (but not started) project from someone who'd had all of the gear sitting in their garage for a few years, I was hesitant to ask for guidance from the guys. From the start Howie put my mind at ease. It's remarkable to me that they are happy to support the build on an airframe that was sold 4 years ago, to someone else. Wouldn't it be great if we could find insurance companies, or banks that went as far as DA does?

Anyway, today, as I said, was maiden day. I'm always very nervous with cert flights. It's just something that has always been difficult (and exciting) for me. I've had maidens where I've literally had to think twice about which aileron direction I needed for a turn. My thumbs are usually still shaking nicely by the time it comes to land - must be the adenalan. Today was no exception. 2nd flight in I'm fine, but that first flight is always "exciting".

What else can I say. Plane flew well. I neglected to check my elevator centres properly which meant that it took 32 points of down trim to fly straight (about 8 clicks on default trim-step, or 32 when step=1 ;-)
After that first flight I looked at the "trimmed" elevators and they were pretty near perfectly centered. Pretty silly thing to forget, but in my defence at a casual glance they looked pretty close.

Inverted 45 upline (which was anything but straight due to my shaking thumbs and pounding head) pulled to the canopy just a touch quicker than I usually prefer, so I suspect I'll be moving one of the batteries back a little. But I'll give it a few more flights before I decide.

Performance of the DA-150 on cans was superb. The years this engine spent in a box waiting for someone to mount it on an airframe have not been harsh. At 18.9 kilos with the engine a touch rich it feels like it would go up forever. On my second flight I did an upline snap and it did not seem to bother it much at all (it's not like I buried it).

All this talk about extra 260's landing quickly (or rather not slowing down easily) had me anticipating the landing with a lump in my throat. I need not have worried. With a nice headwind and advice taken on board about keeping the nose a little high, the plane settles in easily. 90 degree crosswind landing on my second flight was also no problem with that massive rudder to help you out.

After 4 flights I'm grinning. It's going to be a fun plane to fly precision with. I've got to spend some time trimming it out, that is certainly for sure, but it's nice to fly a plane that at least wants to fly straight for a change. I can see why C-ARF have sold a heap of these airframes.

The utmost gratitude expressed to Richo, Mark and Howie for the help with my endless stream of questions. And thanks Ian for taking the time out to do the certification this morning.

And the carnage? Only my dodgy flying ;-)

Originally Posted by Borries

Congrats on the maiden, The CG on my 260 is set at 100mm, I initially had it set at 96 mm but really like the way it flies set at 100mm, definitely lands easier with the CG at 100mm.

Cheers. Mine's under 100 now. Probably around 95. I'll fly it for a while like this. and then play with the CG once I feel at home.

Oh Geeez Richo that just spoilt a good afternoon, the mental picture of you in a nurses outfit just made me shudder!!!!!

JULES IS A BRAVE GIRL

Originally Posted by lee1093

Oh Geeez Richo that just spoilt a good afternoon, the mental picture of you in a nurses outfit just made me shudder!!!!!

Thats a bit hard on Richo he may look good in a nurses outfit dont knock it till you see it

Nice one MrFollies

They are a real nice plane

Originally Posted by MrFollies

Does anyone want to buy a 50cc size Extra cheap? :-)

All 9kg's ????

Awesome to see Dan...............about time good to see................... enjoy

Originally Posted by Richo

Can't make Hervey Bay, Julie is having a foot opperation on the Friday before, looks like I will be playing nurse for a bit! (Could be interesting, hope the uniform still fits :-)

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Come on guys, be nice!! I look a treat in a frock

Originally Posted by Richo

Come on guys, be nice!! I look a treat in a frock

You haven't been riding much so you probably have a great set of tits too.

What are you talking about!! Went out 3 times last week, and already been out twice this week!!
17k's last night just before the rain came!

How's your fitness campagne going? I guess you have worked your way through a carton of beer, 3 pizzas, and half a carton of smokes this week!