Ok,, first flightd results. [&o]

The bird has a tendency to stumble over it's toes during taxi,, wants to nose over. I used the new saito .56 which was excellent for reliability and power. It worked great. I also used a 12x6 apc prop which never made a first flight. The prop tips were mowing grass too much so I switched to a MAS 11x8. This prop turned 10,200 on the 200 rpm rich setting. So I guess still too small but I did make the 3 flights on it. The CG was a bit nose heavy at 3" from the leading edge. This was due to building for the La .46 and switching to the Saito .56. I think this made it more sensitive to nose over. However First flight was full up elevator for takeoff roll and the bird lifted nicely. The flight was smooth but I was suprised to both the elevator and aileron sensitivity. The elevator was not sensitive at all on the reco. settings. But the ailerons were very nice around neutral but at extremes rolled the bird very fast. So the ailerons are great, but more elevator at least for my flying.

The retracts worked great. One small problem,, I didn't tighten the screw on the flat well enough so one of them turned in. Tightened screw all was well for the rest of the day.

Flaps were another story. Reco setting is 1/2" max. Of course I used 1 1/2"..

I found something interesting here. The first 1" of flaps caused the plane to balloon up. But the last 1/2" caused it to fall like a stone. I think excessive flaps just become a speed brake and lose lift resulting in the rapid desent. I have limited the flaps to 3/4" and mixed down elevator for the next flights.

I have also moved the battery pack from under the tank to the location shown on the plans to make the c/g 4" from leading edge. This adds a lot of weight to the tail and should help with nose over.

So,, more flights possibly today given weather. Don't know if this bird is one I can recommend yet. I have had to do a lot to make it fly the way I think it should. Perhaps just too old a design. I will find out on the next trip out.

But the good news.

It does fly well with the gear up.
The flaps do work.
The retracts worked flawless.
The saito was excellent.

Now to see If It will do as I would like it. Probably will have to buy a new cowl after chopping this one for the 2 stroke and then using a 4 stroke.

Flying weight is 5# 12 oz. About 4 oz over the target weight, but the saito add on added 4 oz over the La. .46. But worth it. Jim