Alpha: I already had the cowl cut out, just left it off to adjust the carb if needed. I found the carb diaphram was stuck, so it was easily removed and the problem corrected. Engine then started right up, no adjustment to carb needed. I used an aftermarket Gas tank. I'll supply pics later today or tonight..
However, the maiden flight without the nose weight resulted in a tail-heavy aircraft and required some coordinated rudder to turn. Not much fun to fly like that... So, after 2-3 minutes I landed and took it home to re-check balance. Needed the 1-1/2 pounds to balance, per the note on the picture above. Installed the cowl, made a nose spinner out of an old Tru-Turn spinner and took it for another test flight. The airplane flew MUCH WORSE!. It was so nose heavy, that I didn't have enough elevator on landing that it resulted in cracking the cabin plywood formers all around... I apparently didn't get the CG right. I had my son help me and we were very accurate using the 110 mm from the LE as the CG point, per the instructions. I put it on my balance rig and hooked a cup on the firewall to add led shot into until it balanced. I normally use lead shot and then mix with epoxy and pour into the nose area of the aircraft. easy to do and works well. I didn't go back and verify before I flew, but I am sure it was correct.
I am currently repairing the damage and will have it ready to fly in a day or so... I am going to re-check the CG but have already taken some lead out.
I would like to get a good CG point from someone who has theirs flying well.... Like Terminator 007... Can you tell me where your balance point is? The instructions also say 10 mm travel for the elevator... I find I want more like 25mm....
However, the maiden flight without the nose weight resulted in a tail-heavy aircraft and required some coordinated rudder to turn. Not much fun to fly like that... So, after 2-3 minutes I landed and took it home to re-check balance. Needed the 1-1/2 pounds to balance, per the note on the picture above. Installed the cowl, made a nose spinner out of an old Tru-Turn spinner and took it for another test flight. The airplane flew MUCH WORSE!. It was so nose heavy, that I didn't have enough elevator on landing that it resulted in cracking the cabin plywood formers all around... I apparently didn't get the CG right. I had my son help me and we were very accurate using the 110 mm from the LE as the CG point, per the instructions. I put it on my balance rig and hooked a cup on the firewall to add led shot into until it balanced. I normally use lead shot and then mix with epoxy and pour into the nose area of the aircraft. easy to do and works well. I didn't go back and verify before I flew, but I am sure it was correct.
I am currently repairing the damage and will have it ready to fly in a day or so... I am going to re-check the CG but have already taken some lead out.
I would like to get a good CG point from someone who has theirs flying well.... Like Terminator 007... Can you tell me where your balance point is? The instructions also say 10 mm travel for the elevator... I find I want more like 25mm....
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