Hello all, well yesterday I maiden my Stag! It's been on display in my store for just over a year now, so I think it was fitting that it took to the skies for the first time on Independence Day! I can't remember any plane(s) of mine or friends that I was so nervous during the maiden flight! Anyway we (my crew chief and I) learned a few things about this plane yesterday. First it needs a little more turning authority on the ground especially if there is a wind on the field, it turned right ok, but took a lot of space to turn left when heading into the wind. Second the stock landing gear seems to be on the week side. Granted my first landing was not perfect, I had around a 10 or so knot crosswind that was made very "bumpy" from the trees it was blowing over and I hit a small "pocket" right before touchdown that cause a small bump & drop. In one way it was kinda cool because both door pants came off at the exact same time just like as if they were "jettison" when it landed in the grass just off of the runway! Anyway the gear bent both in a little and forward a little. A lot more than we think they should have with the kind of landing it was. Another thing that I learn especially is that it doesn't take much to drag a wing on this aircraft! So needless to say I have some "road rash" to fix. I'm going to add some additional balsa between the second and third ribs from the ends of the lower wings and and skids, that way they take the abuse and not my wing! It's powered by a Saito 182t, HS 645mg all the way around (except throttle), remote fuel shot off, on board glow, dual AR8000 rcvrs, we have the elevator split and and I have "half" the plane on each rcvr so that if one goes out I still have flying control! We did use the "cargo" door outline for the battery switches, talk about a slick way to do that! You can see short clips of the only two flights today on my facebook page: www.facebook.com\wheatstatehobbies. I will be posting up to youtube once I edit the videos! Any suggestions on the gear would be great!

Thanks,

Bill