Blue Heron gets mauled leaving the nest
07-03-2003, 03:06 AM
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Blue Heron gets mauled leaving the nest
This winter I decided to enter the world of SPADs in a big way, filled with personal firsts:
Specs:
- 8 foot wing span + 17 inch chord = 1632 sq-in wing
- All-up, dry weight = 10.0 Lbs
- Therefore, Wing loading = 14.12 oz / sq-ft
- 25cc Poulan swinging APC 16 X 8 = 8 Lbs measured static thrust (no RPM readings)
After extensively checking to ensure everything was hooked up right, and moving the right way, and range checks with engine off, and engine running, I felt confident it was ready for it's maiden flight. After a brief taxi to the end of the runway, I eased the throttle forward and was thrilled to see the tail lift after only about 50 feet. A few moments later the "Blue Heron" lifted off, and proceeded to climb.
Well, to make a long story short, due to a design flaw, I didn't have enough elevator surface. The end result being I was unable to pull out from a dive in time, and it ploughed into Terra Firma at full throttle. The momentum of the Main gear ripped a massive hole in the fuselage, and the mount for the ignition coil broke off. I guess I'll have to convert it to electronic ignition now...
I had hoped to use it as a trainer (big=easy to see, gas=cheap, 16oz fuel = long flight), but I now know it needs some design changes first. I guess it's back to the drawing board. It's quite a departure from my previous project, a SlowPoke 25.
- First SPAD
- First gasoline conversion (WeedEater® 25cc)
- First dual tank setup
- First home-made muffler
Specs:
- 8 foot wing span + 17 inch chord = 1632 sq-in wing
- All-up, dry weight = 10.0 Lbs
- Therefore, Wing loading = 14.12 oz / sq-ft
- 25cc Poulan swinging APC 16 X 8 = 8 Lbs measured static thrust (no RPM readings)
After extensively checking to ensure everything was hooked up right, and moving the right way, and range checks with engine off, and engine running, I felt confident it was ready for it's maiden flight. After a brief taxi to the end of the runway, I eased the throttle forward and was thrilled to see the tail lift after only about 50 feet. A few moments later the "Blue Heron" lifted off, and proceeded to climb.
Well, to make a long story short, due to a design flaw, I didn't have enough elevator surface. The end result being I was unable to pull out from a dive in time, and it ploughed into Terra Firma at full throttle. The momentum of the Main gear ripped a massive hole in the fuselage, and the mount for the ignition coil broke off. I guess I'll have to convert it to electronic ignition now...
I had hoped to use it as a trainer (big=easy to see, gas=cheap, 16oz fuel = long flight), but I now know it needs some design changes first. I guess it's back to the drawing board. It's quite a departure from my previous project, a SlowPoke 25.
