Microlighters

Another hour under the belt.

Had a chance to fly her, briefly, and reports of twitchy were not joking. VERY twitchy in pitch and roll, although there was lots of heat and movement in the air.

Hoping for some more time later today, if cloud base will lift! Have made some adjustments, hoping for left stick presure to be gone!

Lots of fun waiting, two beautiful rolls executed!!!! Fly past at 160 mph looked spectacular! Small plane makes it look twice as fast.

LM

Hi Larry
I'm so glad that things are finally coming together so nicely. I'm sorry I missed the first flight - would have loved to have seen it - so I will have a good look in Dec when I visit. Keep it up!
C

PS. I'll help with the paint...I think a bunch of zebra strips would do well

Hi Larry,

I am sure you will get used to the light control feel after a few more hours in her.

When Flying a C172 or equivalent later you will skrik yousself blou, thinking some d----- has disconected the ailerons

Take care.

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek

Bob just flew again, straight and level, tiny bit of rudder input,gentle left wing drop in stall, indicated clean about 37 mph

Congrats..... 160 - 37 is a huge speed range. Looks like Awesome machine

Wel done Larry,

Keep smiling

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek

LarryMcG wrote:

Bob just flew again, straight and level, tiny bit of rudder input,gentle left wing drop in stall, indicated clean about 37 mph

Good, how did youfix the heavy wing in the end?

HI Rudi

To cut a long story short, after lots of measuring, leveling with laser lights etc, I lifted the trailing edge slightly, on the left wing!

Hopefully will get in a few hours this weekend!

L

by RV4ker on Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:51 pm



Congrats..... 160 - 37 is a huge speed range. Looks like Awesome machine

the Magic 4:1 ratio - which most designers strive for (but few achieve)

put into perspective - C172 - 110mph - 49mph (yeah I know its a lot less twitchy )

Do yourselves a favour and go look how many (actually few homebuilt aircraft even get close to that 4:1 ratio ... most are in the range of 2.5 or 3:1

Impressive stuff - good luck Larry & team

So, what is top speed, level flight? How close to the magic 4:1 do you get?

PS. Remember your fuel tank issues? Have a look at the sonex website

justin.schoeman on Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:56 pm

So, what is top speed, level flight? How close to the magic 4:1 do you get?

True Justin I assumed (presumably incorrectly?) that the 160 was S&L , but it will probably be in the 130's?

However my research into the Sonex/Waiex indicated that they do come very close to the 4:1 ratio which is very impressive particularly if you look at how the other options in that class and cost bracket perform.

AndyCAP wrote:However my research into the Sonex/Waiex indicated that they do come very close to the 4:1 ratio which is very impressive particularly if you look at how the other options in that class and cost bracket perform.

Yip. They do come very close to 4:1. Be very interesting to see Larry's figures though. I know some guys get over 140mph on the 80hp Jab, and some don't even make 120mph... Depends on build quality, finishing and rigging.

Hi All

OK, been flying a lot, building hours quickly now!

Top speed to date - 175 mph

Static rpm - 2900

Top speed level flight, wot, - seems 160 - 170- mph 3145 rpm
Stall indicated - clean - 37 mph
Stall flaps - 33 mph

Roc - 800 - 1200 fpm, at anything from 80 - 110 mph

Initially just a mush, lots of buffet.
Pull back more, flicks over left wing down.

2500 rpm - 10 l / h, 115 mph

Seem to have all temps under control now, EGT sometimes a little high. CHts not going more than 200 now.

Lands easily.
Take off a bit more tricky, keeking tail up, and wheels on the ground, to prevent becoming airborne to slowly
Twitchy in the air, but very flyable, and LOTS of fun. Turns on a dime, rockets up in climb, speed builds very quickly with nose down.

LM

WOW!!! Very few homebuilts beat factory specs - that must be a very clean build!

Green with envy, mate. Going back to the bush Friday and only back in SA end January so have to contain myself and fantasize about flying my baby when she's built.

Congrats and hope you have lots of fun in her. Have to round up some more Sonex/Waiex owners for fly ins and get togethers.