On 04/22/2010 02:55 AM, Kevin Klinefelter wrote:
> I hope you
> both have as much fun as I am having!
Sure we have!!!
Today we both have been flying, first with our test pilot, and after a
few touch & go's we were released and could fly ourselves.
The PH-DIY is flying better than we ever hoped for! A very light and
responsive airplane. Easy to fly as well. We just have to get used to
the very light controls (everything we did in the Cessna we have to
divide by 4 or so), and of course it is interesting to reach pattern
altitude after take off before even reaching the crosswind leg. We think
it is easier to get use to, than to wean off it.
The stall is indeed benign and can be executed hands off, with and
without flaps. It is a total non event, with plenty of warning in the
form of buffeting, and the aircraft will recover without human
intervention. Keep the stick fully aft and she will descend in a rocking
motion, alternating stalling and recovering by herself.
The performance is great! The test pilot first took her out alone, to
measure the performance again, but this time in still air (couldn't
believe what he had seen during the first flight), but came back with
the famous Europa grin and told us that it was even better than he
thought it was! This thing is blazingly fast!
We put a small rudder trim tab on the rudder (btw, yes, the engine is
perfectly aligned), and the trim tab was perfect on the first try.
Problem solved.
There are a few minor issues with the avionics, but nothing serious.
We now know why we have put so much time in this project. To everyone
not yet reached the flying stage: It is worth it!
Well, no time for a more detailed review, we are going to sleep, so we
can do tomorrow morning a quick check of all essentials, and then... go
somewhere!
Frans
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