I put a few more flights on the Sukhoi today and got some pictures and details.

First, it weighs 17.2 pounds ready to fly including the canister muffler and fairly heavy aluminum wing tube, with wheel pants. That's everything. It will be under 17 with a standard muffler, and probably 16.5-16.6 with CF wing tube. The landing gear is fairly strong, some weight could be saved there.

But with 1410 sq. inches of wing area there is no need. The only trouble I had was getting it to come down on landing. It's a true floater. I will be adding some expo on elevator, even at walking speed it will climb. If it was ever going to exhibit any bad handling it would have happened today, I shot a handful oflandings and stalled it several times in a strong headwind, it reacts so slowly to the stall that there was plenty of time to goose the throttle to pick up a little airspeed. It is truly a completely stable honest airplane that will do it all. IMAC, 3d, sport, trainer, it can be anything you want it to be. No bad habits at all, like a fine old dog that is just everybody's best friend.

I am including a photo of the bottom of the plane showing the canister installation. With a DA-50 and a 25mm drop header there is no need to cut the cowl except for hot air exhaust. I found a way to mount the canister that is light, durable and costs almost nothing. As you can see the canister is recessed into a fiberglass belly pan keeping hot air out of the plane and making everything super clean and simple.

This plane will go into production as soon as I can get them built, think end of May. I have a great deal of confidence in this model, it's one really fine plane.

Tom Fawcett