Hi everybody,

David, I can't imagine how I missed your flight report after reading what I thought was everything else on the VF540. Must have missed it in the switch to the new format. Any, update time: My Edge arrived last week and WOW. The workmanship is exceptional. Took the fuselage, the cowl and one wing panel to the field Sat. Two of the Carden owners were impressed. Nice.

Now some questions:

1. I know I am exceeding the power envelope with a Saito 120, but it is all I have at the moment. Have you noticed anything of concern in the firewall area with your 100? I do not intend to do 3D, but rather fly the basic IMACC sequences and concentrate on becoming a better pilot with this plane. BTW I have also been talking with Cootertwo.

2. You mentioned taking the down thrust out. Did you do that? If so, are you now flying with everything a 0 degrees or is there still the recommended right thrust in?

3. Belly pan trimming. The instruction photo's seem to be a little unclear. Are the end pieces (bulkheads) supposed to be cut off? In looking at the supplemental trimming info on the site, it shows cutting them off for the Extra and the sukhoi, but I am a little unclear on the Edge. It looks to me like they could stay and but up against the bulkheads on the airframe.

4. Plastic tail fairing. If there were one recommendation I could make (and I did) this needs to be improved. I have had a couple of conversations with Sam at VF and they are looking into a couple of things. BTW, they are the best customer service outfit I have ever delt with on any type of product....period! What did you do here? I was thinking about cutting a bulkhead to match the one at the rear of the turtle deck and then sanding down 1/32" to allow the plastic to rest flush. Once all trimmed and glued in, it could be dressed up with one small piece of red covering. Thoughts? Also, did you reinforce with tri-stock on the top and bottom of the stab as suggested?

I am using the brass inserts you suggested for the cowl and the belly pan. I have made a dash with raised panel guages. The underside of the wing will be checked with 2 or 3 inch black squares for a black and white scheme. Once the ailerons have been installed, I will carry the black checks onto the red ailerons. That should look cool. I also checked (black/white trim sheet) the white areas on the tail surfaces. Plan to mount the engine inverted since I cannot bring myself to cut that pretty cowl. Any pics from you or Calflyer? Anything will help. Thanks guys.