Another Fliteskin ME 109 build thread
10-16-2014, 03:22 AM
#578
Thread Starter
Thank you Jose, I will add this when I have spare moment.
Any chance you can get me the settings from your aeroplane? I am getting to the last bit of flight preparations here.
I added the guns this week which was the last task on my list, so now I consider the build complete. All that is left for me to do is to sett the CG, set controls deflections and radio expo and dual rates.
Eran
Any chance you can get me the settings from your aeroplane? I am getting to the last bit of flight preparations here.
I added the guns this week which was the last task on my list, so now I consider the build complete. All that is left for me to do is to sett the CG, set controls deflections and radio expo and dual rates.
Eran
10-16-2014, 10:31 PM
#581
Erans,
My settings for the 109 are actually quite simple:
I only use 30% exponential in all the control surfaces except the rudder, but I suppose it would hurt..
The CG is at the plan location.
My airplane flies with 2º of up elevator, when you deploy full flaps, you need to trim nose up another 1º or so to compensate.
The rudder will be most important for take of and climb, make sure you have all available to use, maybe trim a bit of right rudder for the take off or it will swing to the left.
I do not use flaps for take off. For the first take offs, allow the airplane to get plenty of speed so you wont take off too early. The picture shows almost full right rudder during climb.
Once you have the airplane trimmed for a few circuits, try putting the gear down, it needs a little trim up, the try flaps in increments.
Do not program elevator/flap mix until you flown the airplane a few times. Practicing a bit of slow flight with
gear and flaps down, can give you a good idea of how much power you need to maintain level flight and descent to landing. The flaps are very draggy so I reduced the throw on the inner flaps.
The moment of truth is approaching!
JG
My settings for the 109 are actually quite simple:
I only use 30% exponential in all the control surfaces except the rudder, but I suppose it would hurt..
The CG is at the plan location.
My airplane flies with 2º of up elevator, when you deploy full flaps, you need to trim nose up another 1º or so to compensate.
The rudder will be most important for take of and climb, make sure you have all available to use, maybe trim a bit of right rudder for the take off or it will swing to the left.
I do not use flaps for take off. For the first take offs, allow the airplane to get plenty of speed so you wont take off too early. The picture shows almost full right rudder during climb.
Do not program elevator/flap mix until you flown the airplane a few times. Practicing a bit of slow flight with
gear and flaps down, can give you a good idea of how much power you need to maintain level flight and descent to landing. The flaps are very draggy so I reduced the throw on the inner flaps.
The moment of truth is approaching!
JG
Last edited by JGrc; 10-16-2014 at 10:34 PM. Reason: typos
10-19-2014, 01:29 AM
#582
Thread Starter
Thank you Jose, it is highly appreciated.
I was wrong thinking I completed all work planned. I forgot the wing-tip lights. All done now.
Yes, the moment of truth is approaching. I hope to check the CG this week (if I will have the opportunity). Then, it is up to my friend to be well enough to join me for the test flight.
Eran
I was wrong thinking I completed all work planned. I forgot the wing-tip lights. All done now.
Yes, the moment of truth is approaching. I hope to check the CG this week (if I will have the opportunity). Then, it is up to my friend to be well enough to join me for the test flight.
Eran
10-21-2014, 04:40 AM
#584
Thread Starter
Jose - News from the field (as in test flight) are at least a month or two away.
I did however checked the CG today. Bad news, it is extremely nose heavy. I will have to shift batteries backwards and check again.
Another bad news was the all up weight. 9.4kg before adding weight for balance.
Some photos:
On Sunday, weather permitting, it will make its first public display (static) at our anual club airshow.
Eran
I did however checked the CG today. Bad news, it is extremely nose heavy. I will have to shift batteries backwards and check again.
Another bad news was the all up weight. 9.4kg before adding weight for balance.
Some photos:
On Sunday, weather permitting, it will make its first public display (static) at our anual club airshow.
Eran
10-21-2014, 07:07 PM
#586
Thread Starter
Jose - I will not install the gear doors purely because I ran out of time, and I never though that I will present the ME-109 in static display.
As the balance, I have the ignition module + ignition battery at the front, under the fuel tank. I will start with shifting the ignition battery to location behind the cockpit.
I currently have the two LiFe flight batteries roughly on the CG point (in front of the cockpit). I will shift these two backwards as well.
Once all this is done, I will re-check the balance and hopefully it will make the required difference.
Eran
As the balance, I have the ignition module + ignition battery at the front, under the fuel tank. I will start with shifting the ignition battery to location behind the cockpit.
I currently have the two LiFe flight batteries roughly on the CG point (in front of the cockpit). I will shift these two backwards as well.
Once all this is done, I will re-check the balance and hopefully it will make the required difference.
Eran
10-23-2014, 04:20 AM
#587
Thread Starter
I started to look into some radical solutions to the balance issue, as changing an engine is not an option.
As a start, I will be looking at relocating the ignition battery (which was originally located under the fuel tank).
If needed, I found out that I have enough space to place it in the tail wheel cavity.
I have never seen an aeroplane with such extreme solution, but I guess that there is always a first.
I will do another balance session without the battery early next week and see if I need to place the battery that far.
Eran
As a start, I will be looking at relocating the ignition battery (which was originally located under the fuel tank).
If needed, I found out that I have enough space to place it in the tail wheel cavity.
I have never seen an aeroplane with such extreme solution, but I guess that there is always a first.
I will do another balance session without the battery early next week and see if I need to place the battery that far.
Eran
10-26-2014, 04:26 AM
#588
Thread Starter
I just came back from our annual display at the airfield, where the ME-109 was on static display in the pit. It was well received by everyone, the public and the pilots.
Once the public event finished, I decided to use the opportunity to perform another taxi test. This highlighted couple of small issues requiring attention, nothing major.
Eran
Once the public event finished, I decided to use the opportunity to perform another taxi test. This highlighted couple of small issues requiring attention, nothing major.
Eran
11-11-2014, 07:06 AM
#591
Thread Starter
I finally got the opportunity to re-check the balance this evening. This was done with the wheels retracted.
Jose - Is the CG location on the plans is for wheels retracted? I assume that wheels out will cause the CG to shift forward quite significantly (I couldn't check it tonight as I forgot the pump at home)?
With the battery in the new location in the tail (and wheels retracted), the ME-109 was tail heavy.
I relocated the battery is to a location next to the CG in the fuselage and I will need 240gr in the tail wheel cavity for balance, bringing the total weight to ~9.6kg...
Eran
Jose - Is the CG location on the plans is for wheels retracted? I assume that wheels out will cause the CG to shift forward quite significantly (I couldn't check it tonight as I forgot the pump at home)?
With the battery in the new location in the tail (and wheels retracted), the ME-109 was tail heavy.
I relocated the battery is to a location next to the CG in the fuselage and I will need 240gr in the tail wheel cavity for balance, bringing the total weight to ~9.6kg...
Eran
11-11-2014, 11:53 AM
#592
I finally got the opportunity to re-check the balance this evening. This was done with the wheels retracted.
Jose - Is the CG location on the plans is for wheels retracted? I assume that wheels out will cause the CG to shift forward quite significantly (I couldn't check it tonight as I forgot the pump at home)?
With the battery in the new location in the tail (and wheels retracted), the ME-109 was tail heavy.
I relocated the battery is to a location next to the CG in the fuselage and I will need 240gr in the tail wheel cavity for balance, bringing the total weight to ~9.6kg...
Eran
Jose - Is the CG location on the plans is for wheels retracted? I assume that wheels out will cause the CG to shift forward quite significantly (I couldn't check it tonight as I forgot the pump at home)?
With the battery in the new location in the tail (and wheels retracted), the ME-109 was tail heavy.
I relocated the battery is to a location next to the CG in the fuselage and I will need 240gr in the tail wheel cavity for balance, bringing the total weight to ~9.6kg...
Eran
if the battery in the tail makes it tail heavy, bring the battery forward a few cms. until you find the balance point. Place the airplane upside down at the target CG and place the battery where it balances.
The CG location in the plan is with the wheels down and retracted changes the CG slightly aft but not significantly.
Saturday I flew Yellow 14 and it performed flawlessly, a great flying airplane!
JG
11-14-2014, 06:26 AM
#593
Thread Starter
Thank you Jose. Shifting the battery forward is not an option as it is sitting against the tail-wheel former.
However, I just came back from another balance check at my friend's shed. This time we checked with the wheels out, and with the battery all the way in the tail cavity we needed 60g for balance in the nose.
Final weight is 9.275Kg.
When the wheels retract the balance point shift back about 1cm. Should be OK.
Now, once the weights glued in place, I need to get the hook and loop final attachments for the batteries , and I am ready for test flight.
Its all about the weather now.
Eran
However, I just came back from another balance check at my friend's shed. This time we checked with the wheels out, and with the battery all the way in the tail cavity we needed 60g for balance in the nose.
Final weight is 9.275Kg.
When the wheels retract the balance point shift back about 1cm. Should be OK.
Now, once the weights glued in place, I need to get the hook and loop final attachments for the batteries , and I am ready for test flight.
Its all about the weather now.
Eran
11-20-2014, 08:50 PM
#599
Erans
I don't think is a good idea to put the battery in that area, it may lead to problems with the elevator control. Also if it falls off, it could turn the airplane too nose heavy. I would try a spot behind the pilot seat and you would not need the extra nose weight to compensate for the tail weight being too far aft.
my 2 cents
JG
I don't think is a good idea to put the battery in that area, it may lead to problems with the elevator control. Also if it falls off, it could turn the airplane too nose heavy. I would try a spot behind the pilot seat and you would not need the extra nose weight to compensate for the tail weight being too far aft.
my 2 cents
JG
01-10-2015, 09:30 PM
#600
Thread Starter
The weather was not cooperating for the last few weeks, with high winds on the days we planned to go out. When the weather was reasonable, work got in the way.
However, the weather today was good, with wind perfect down the runway, so I finally got to try and test fly the aeroplane.
After all the ground inspections completed, I taxied to the runway,
Once I got the all clear from the other pilots, I advanced the throttle, using elevator to keep the tail on the ground for the first few meters and applying rudder for nice strait run.
The speed was building up nicely, but suddenly, and without warning 30m down the runway, the aeroplane ground looped to the left.
The throttle was not yet at full, speed was not yet sufficient for rotation. Flaps were not used, and full right ailerons trying to correct it was ineffective due to the low airspeed. A friend captured the moment using my camera from the pit area.
As a result of the impact, the wing bolts sheered and the wing separated from the fuselage. The damage can be seen in the photos.
Post "crash" analysis, with the witnesses and the heavy model inspector concluded that it was highly likely a result of the prop torque combined with the toe out of the landing gear.
The damage is repairable, but due to other projects and priorities (and lack of motivation) the Messerschmitt will go into storage for the time being.
Eran
However, the weather today was good, with wind perfect down the runway, so I finally got to try and test fly the aeroplane.
After all the ground inspections completed, I taxied to the runway,
Once I got the all clear from the other pilots, I advanced the throttle, using elevator to keep the tail on the ground for the first few meters and applying rudder for nice strait run.
The speed was building up nicely, but suddenly, and without warning 30m down the runway, the aeroplane ground looped to the left.
The throttle was not yet at full, speed was not yet sufficient for rotation. Flaps were not used, and full right ailerons trying to correct it was ineffective due to the low airspeed. A friend captured the moment using my camera from the pit area.
As a result of the impact, the wing bolts sheered and the wing separated from the fuselage. The damage can be seen in the photos.
Post "crash" analysis, with the witnesses and the heavy model inspector concluded that it was highly likely a result of the prop torque combined with the toe out of the landing gear.
The damage is repairable, but due to other projects and priorities (and lack of motivation) the Messerschmitt will go into storage for the time being.
Eran