Kevin,
Congratulations on the return to the air! Sounds like you have a fine
bird there. Enjoy!!
Blue skies & tailwinds,
Bob Borger
Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop.
Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP
3705 Lynchburg Dr.
Corinth, TX 76208-5331
Cel: 817-992-1117
rlborger@mac.com
On Oct 30, 2013, at 9:50 PM, K BURNS <kjburns@btinternet.com> wrote:
At 3 pm today G-EINI, found her place in the autumnal sky over Husbands
Bosworth, she is only 2 LBs heavier than when first built despite the
additional Tri-Gear , (I have also dropped 2 and 3/4 stone while
removing all the old paint and excess filler).
We chose grass option (27)due to the cross wind, and at 5lb less than
gross lifted off without complaint, she flies delightfully, fully
co-ordinated, with hands free flight showing a beautifully balanced
aircraft...no trim tabs needed here (I have a bucket full of the ones we
removed when setting up the aircraft).
The engine is still tight with only 2 hours total running time on it so
we were gentle with the test schedule preferring to cruise climb to 3500
ft and check stall characteristics, stall buffet is gentle but
noticeable , and flaps are free of any adverse roll effects, 43 knots
clean and the right wing dropped first , but with a nice rumble first.
Ventilation could have been better, new door seals and closure panels
leave little exit air, and the carpets were not fully dry..I was a bit
warm too ! so misting on my screens had to be kept clear.
Rain was approaching from the west as an hour in the air approached so
we chose the wide and long option of the grass 27 (winch cables gone for
the approaching weather) , and made a high brisk approach of 75 Knots
over the hedge to put us nicely down floating over the cross track next
to the launch point bus.
Back to the Hanger, cowls off, a good once over and tweak a couple of
avionics issues ..fish and chip supper and check the weather for
tomorrow's flight testing , cant believe were flying !
Many thanks to Richard Kilham, Mentor and inspector (and test pilot)
---From EES Aviation, for his valuable contribution and enthusiasm for this
project.
To all at the Sywell show, I said two weeks to finish...I was right
..two weeks for the jobs on my list...I managed to find another 6 weeks
of jobs to do as well !
Kevin.
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