I took the refurbished Cornell out to BMF today, and after several flights on the Alpha and a couple Cubby flights, I took the Cornell out to the flightline. The little voice started up on me when I arrived at BMF (I actually think before that, like, last night). On the flightline, transmitter in hand, aircraft flight ready, I just couldn't shake it. I just didn't feel right. She looked perfect, but if I flew her I wouldn't know if an ensuing crash was pilot error or porblems with the aircraft. Jerry Gollot had been coaching Joe, who had just sustained a hard landing. They were walking back across the field with his plane.. the voice was nagging me. Not in a wifey way, but in a way that kept my attention.
As he approached I asked Jerry if he'd maiden the Cornell for me, and with a laugh, he said yes, "I ain't got nothin' invested in her!"
Jerry had checked her balance earlier in the pits, and he was pleased with it. He checked out the controls and the rates I had set up. He spun the motor up... lots and lots of power. Her tail hopped right up. He hot taxied her then bumped her into the air keeping her in ground effect, then landed her. He was clicking away at the trims. He turned her around, and took off. She went nuts, tail heavy, rolling, heading for the flightline fence, over that, heading for the trees. He got her under control and took her to altitude where he went to work on the trims again like he was playing the piano!
He got her trimmed out and we learned a few things. The plane is flying tail heavy despite the CG being fine as designated. We also learned that she torques like crazy with power, so she needs right rudder trim when going fast. She glides like a rock with one heckuva sink rate. She is tricky to take off and land. In cruise properly trimmed she flies awesome! Version 1 was far more stable.
So we will be experimenting with adding some nose weight, and see if I can get her more centered without making her too heavy. I am pleased, but still nervous to fly her myself until this gets sorted out.
But the little voice in my head is happy, and that's what matters! Thanks, Jerry!
So we will be experimenting with adding some nose weight, and see if I can get her more centered without making her too heavy. I am pleased, but still nervous to fly her myself until this gets sorted out.
But the little voice in my head is happy, and that's what matters! Thanks, Jerry!
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