Originally posted by deadbug
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8S Maiden Report:
Late this afternoon I completed the maiden plus two additional flights.
CG exactly on factory marks with gear down (since nose gear retracts forward)
All control horn positions moved in towards servo by two holes--using the third on from the end.
All control deflections matched the manual settings except elevator in HIGH (100%) . As I suspected, book deflections, especially the elevator were way too much for this type of jet. Flap settings are per the manual.
Maiden = 2X SMC 4S 5900 HCL/HVP
2nd Flight = 2X SMC 4S 6200 HCL/HVP
3rd Flight = 2X SMC 4S 5900 HCL/HVP
RX =Spektrum AR8360T SMART with AS3X and SAFE (maiden conducted gyro-off)
Observations:
I was actually pleasantly surprised with how the airplane flew once I got it trimmed up. With my gyro off, I conducted stalls clean and in the landing configuration with full flaps, upright and inverted spins, attemped snap rolls with only pitch inputs--no rudder--upright and inverted. Also tried inverted loop--was successful in low rate elevator (who wants to do that though)--but in 100% high rates (remember I moved my elevator control horn out of the "3D" factory position) she definitely snapped out of the maneuver. Not dramatic but definitely wants to snap pushing forward on the stick. I can imagine if Evan used full book elevator why that got his attention
When my gyro was in the AS3X flight mode, it was noticeably more resistant to snaps.
I noticed no unusual behavior during the full aft-stick stalls in any configuration--nothing different than other sport jets (other than the Avanti) and definitely much more tame than the Havoc Xe.
I was really surprised that I did NOT notice any nose-down tendency when pushing up power to full during a go-around or low pass.
Landings really reminded me of the Havoc--my first few were purposely fast, then I started slowing them down and even tried holding it off until the stall (but just an inch or two above the runway) Unlike the Havoc, which would drop a wing if you breathed to hard during the flare, I couldn't get the wing to drop even when running the 2 X 4S 6200's. I wouldn't try holding it off though unless you could keep it within an inch or so of the runway.
At the CG marks--I found that I did NOT need the down flap/elevator mix the manual gives. I got rid of them on the second flight. Flew on final so much better and the flare was nicer. Note my stab trim at Book CG in pic below. I am feeling compelled to move it back as I just don't like the up elevator trim required at that CG.
Thrust Reverse - Well I was disappointed--it helped a bit, but not as effective for braking as other jets I have. I have a mix set with the reverse channel mixed with throttle, so all I have to do after touchdown and in idle is hit my "G" switch full up and it goes to 100% reverse power.
All in all I like the jet and will continue to explore her performance envelope. Oh, I did have a broken cloud layer a little bit of haze and I did find the airplane a little difficult to see when I was high and the sun wasn't shining on the plane. When it did--it stood out nicely. The upper fuse EPO above the intakes is softer than I'm used to--put a nice thumbprint dent on it as I was rotating the airplane off the stand.
I didn't do any speed runs today--I was more interested in exploring the flight characteristics. Those are easy and will be later. Hope this helps those who are waiting to maiden theirs.
DB
Late this afternoon I completed the maiden plus two additional flights.
CG exactly on factory marks with gear down (since nose gear retracts forward)
All control horn positions moved in towards servo by two holes--using the third on from the end.
All control deflections matched the manual settings except elevator in HIGH (100%) . As I suspected, book deflections, especially the elevator were way too much for this type of jet. Flap settings are per the manual.
Maiden = 2X SMC 4S 5900 HCL/HVP
2nd Flight = 2X SMC 4S 6200 HCL/HVP
3rd Flight = 2X SMC 4S 5900 HCL/HVP
RX =Spektrum AR8360T SMART with AS3X and SAFE (maiden conducted gyro-off)
Observations:
I was actually pleasantly surprised with how the airplane flew once I got it trimmed up. With my gyro off, I conducted stalls clean and in the landing configuration with full flaps, upright and inverted spins, attemped snap rolls with only pitch inputs--no rudder--upright and inverted. Also tried inverted loop--was successful in low rate elevator (who wants to do that though)--but in 100% high rates (remember I moved my elevator control horn out of the "3D" factory position) she definitely snapped out of the maneuver. Not dramatic but definitely wants to snap pushing forward on the stick. I can imagine if Evan used full book elevator why that got his attention
When my gyro was in the AS3X flight mode, it was noticeably more resistant to snaps.I noticed no unusual behavior during the full aft-stick stalls in any configuration--nothing different than other sport jets (other than the Avanti) and definitely much more tame than the Havoc Xe.
I was really surprised that I did NOT notice any nose-down tendency when pushing up power to full during a go-around or low pass.
Landings really reminded me of the Havoc--my first few were purposely fast, then I started slowing them down and even tried holding it off until the stall (but just an inch or two above the runway) Unlike the Havoc, which would drop a wing if you breathed to hard during the flare, I couldn't get the wing to drop even when running the 2 X 4S 6200's. I wouldn't try holding it off though unless you could keep it within an inch or so of the runway.
At the CG marks--I found that I did NOT need the down flap/elevator mix the manual gives. I got rid of them on the second flight. Flew on final so much better and the flare was nicer. Note my stab trim at Book CG in pic below. I am feeling compelled to move it back as I just don't like the up elevator trim required at that CG.
Thrust Reverse - Well I was disappointed--it helped a bit, but not as effective for braking as other jets I have. I have a mix set with the reverse channel mixed with throttle, so all I have to do after touchdown and in idle is hit my "G" switch full up and it goes to 100% reverse power.
All in all I like the jet and will continue to explore her performance envelope. Oh, I did have a broken cloud layer a little bit of haze and I did find the airplane a little difficult to see when I was high and the sun wasn't shining on the plane. When it did--it stood out nicely. The upper fuse EPO above the intakes is softer than I'm used to--put a nice thumbprint dent on it as I was rotating the airplane off the stand.
I didn't do any speed runs today--I was more interested in exploring the flight characteristics. Those are easy and will be later. Hope this helps those who are waiting to maiden theirs.
DB
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