Originally Posted by
afterburner
As the flying season is winding down around here( at least for me) I've been double checking CG and lateral balance as the last few landings I've had made me think to check these parameters and was wondering if anyone has the RTF dry weight of their Hawks at hand? Thanks.
Hi Marty,
My Hawk when built looked great with twin pilot DerJet cockpit, smoke system, and Carf tube but……………it flew like a complete dog when below 40% throttle. Landings were pretty much uncontrolled crashes, and by some pretty competent pilots too! With just the UAT filled it weighed in at 39lbs! She had a remarkable tendency to nose into the floor at landing speeds…….ugh!
After stripping out cockpit, smoke set up and replacing the pipe with a lightweight Grumania one she now weighs 31 lbs and is transformed!! I can't really get the weight below that, but I know a couple of other Hawks in the UK are at 29lbs and they fly really well. Reducing the weight makes landings fear far easier, there is a much wider envelope of control. The C of G at the reduced weight is 195mm, and I solved the climb under power issue by moving the turbine above the rails.
Now I think I can enjoy the beast, they do look great in the air!!
Cheers
David