First flight

[Dan Michaels]

After udjusting the rudder pedals some I went out to see how well it taxied. Not much wind today and it taxied right down the runway at a good clip. With the rudder pedal extentions I did not have to use the brakes at all even on turns. I could turn around at the end of the runway with very little brake.

Second run through I thought I will go a little faster and raise the tail and taxi that way some. I held the yoke back all the way and got going pretty good. pushed the control forward to raise the tail and I took right off.

Only took around 300 or 400 feet total. I was just going to slow back down and land but I figured what the heck. I climbed out around 80 pulled back to around 70 and really climbed. Not as fast as the Viking but at least as fast as a 172. Made a couple of laps around the patch and did some slow fight, Just too cool slowed down to around 50 and just floated along no nose high stuff like the 150. I was at 3000' so I headed upwind loosing alt all the way through to final. I figured I would just cross the fence at 50 slow down to 40 after getting over the runway and see how it went after that. about 200' out I added a little power to stop the sink over the runway I pulled power and it settled right down tailwheel hit first, I held it back a little bounce then down on all three. Took all of 400'.

It was the most fun I've had flying in a while. Not as fast as I thought it was going to be I think the 150 was faster, but untill I have a VS or a longer trip it is hard to tell.

Dan

[bobp]

Re: First flight

Dan, Glad to hear you got her in the air. Nice looking ship, hope you head her down to y72 one of these days. Bob

[Dan Michaels]

Re: First flight

Dan, Glad to hear you got her in the air. Nice looking ship, hope you head her down to y72 one of these days. Bob

I want to get a few more hours on it around home first, but I go down there regular so keep the beer cold.

Dan

[bobp]

Re: First flight

Keepn the beer cold not a problem right now. Bob

[Dan Michaels]

Re: First flight

May have found out why I am getting off so quick. I see that the engine limits are 2300 rpm. I have been able to get 2500 TO, in cruise, 2400 to 2450 I was cruising at 2300 though. I will check the tach with a light to see if it is correct. The Speedo shop tested it and said it was close so I am not really sure. At 2300 I was reading just under 100 IAS.

Dan

[barnstmr]

Re: First flight

Which prop and engine models do you have? And whats your static RPM on the ground - full throttle, tail tied or brakes set with no forward motion? Yes... use a digital prop tach for accuracy.

[Dan Michaels]

Re: First flight

Which prop and engine models do you have? And whats your static RPM on the ground - full throttle, tail tied or brakes set with no forward motion? Yes... use a digital prop tach for accuracy.

It is the original wooden prop Sensenich 44-72" A-65-8 Continental.

I did not check it with the tail tied yet. Only remember over 2400 in the air. Next nice day I will check it on the ground.

Dan

[akndrifter]

Re: First flight

I know how you feel. I flew my plane on skis yesterday, hadn't got to fly her in quite a while. I was quite surprised at my rate of climb; 1000fpm, 23rpm, me and my brother-in-law, plus about five gallons of gas. My little A-65 continues to impress me, and others. I think it really helps having a 74" prop.

[3Dreaming]

Re: First flight

Dan, with that prop I would expect to see just under 2000 static, WOT level flight about 2450. I always cruised at 2300 with the same set up. It would show about 102 indicated like that. Tom

[Dan Michaels]

Re: First flight

Tom I have been flying quite a little lately and you are correct on the numbers. I am not really used to the tach going backwards yet.

I have it rigged a little better. I still think the left wing rides low, but this little plane is all over the place so it is hard to tell. Yesterday I was on a roller coaster ride holding it level.

I am tired of these doors though. A door steward is needed in a big way. I am thinking of attaching a rod of some sort to the inside of the door that can swing down and go behind the strut to hold it open.

Dan

[RoN43220]

Re: First flight

I've been thinking about a door stay lately. And I'm going to try making a U-shaped block, maybe of Delrin, to slip over the top hinge to hold it straight and block the door open. See any merit in this?

Ron

[VictorBravo]

Re: First flight

U-shaped block, maybe of Delrin, to slip over the top hinge to hold it straight and block the door open. See any merit in this?

Ron

YES ! Great idea! Put it on a little tether wrapped around something inside the cabin, so you don't lose it. Maybe a tiny Velcro button to hold it somewhere near your left knee so it doesn't even rattle around in the cabin.

The amount of leverage that the door hinges can apply might overcome the soft Delrin. Perhaps a folded steel piece with felt padding or rubber could solve it. It's not the weight of the door that would put all the leverage on, it's a 10 or 20 MPH gust pushing on the door.

Tribe, when this guy comes up with an Einstein-brilliant solution to one of these little problems like the door, I get to take full credit for reeling him in to the Taylorcraft world (sorry Ron!)

Bill

[Carrieve]

Re: First flight

Real pretty Dan. As soon as I get mine going I will be down. Put the coffee on, I have way to many years in AA for a beer

[gnflyn]

Re: First flight

I know that the door is a pain when the engine is running. When I hand prop by myself, after I tie the tail down I set the park brake, Then have a 1/8" bungee cord about 6 feet long with loops on each end, run from park brake t-handle around front jury strut and back to t-handle. It holds door open almost all the way and after I get in I slip both loops off the handle and pull it back into cockpit and release the tiedown and park brake. Works every time and will hold even at a 1000 rpm idle.
Easy is good...