OK, finished my Christen Eagle finally last week. I just ran out of excuses and had to take it out for a test flight today. Weather was nice, and wind was around 10 mph right down the runway (at a full scale airport) so perfect conditions.
I had not started the engine (DA 50), but hoped that this wasn't going to be a problem, and as it turned out it was not. The DA fired after the 5th or 6th flip. It ran just right out of the box. A little on the rich side just as I was hoping. . The Eagle range checked OK with engine running and off. So no more excuses. Oh yeah, but first a couple of pictures of my new baby. Just in case . Take off went just fine. The tail comes up almost immediately. Just I was used too from my GP Pitts. Climbing was no problem and trimming out neither. 2 clicks of left aileron and 2 clicks of down elevator was all she needed. The engine performed well, and it had plenty of power. I didn't wanted to push it, and just snapped her negative a couple of times and did some Knife Edge flight. This is where I was really amazed. KE is so much nicer then with my Pitts. It flew in KE down over the runway by just holding the rudder and some very very minor aileron. No pitch coupling what so ever. Simply perfect. Flew it around a couple more turns and landed. Landing was also a piece of cake and went uneventful. Just keep the power up and you will be fine. As also used to from the Pitts some of the flying wires broke. I will just leave them off in the future. Saves me some headaches.
Unfortunately I couldn't perform a second flight because the filler fuel line touched the muffler and melted []. Oh well, that was all that needs to be fixed. We will be ready for some more fun next weekend.
It is balanced towards the aft recommended CG, and I think that it is just fine. No led necessary to balance. Ignition is mounted on firewall and battery next to the throttle and choke servo under canopy. The Eagle screams for Smoke, but I will add that maybe later once I am completely used to the Eagle.

Here is my setup and a couple of pictures. Hope you like it :

-Engine : DA 50 with Slimline smoke muffler and 2 3/4 red anodized standoffs from Aerografixs.
- Tru Turn Ultimate spinner and Biela 22x10 prop.
-Servos: 4x JR 4735's on ailerons, 3x JR 2721's on elevator and rudder, JR 4131 on throttle and JR 531 on choke.
-JR 649 PCM receiver. Radical RC 6V 2700 NIMH battery on radio and JR 4.8V 1100 mah Nicad on ignition.
- Pilot from litepilots.com
- Ohio Superstar tailwheel
- All CF linkage from Central Hobbies and Aluminum Servo arms from H9.