The Protege was successfully flown today. It was amazing! First, though, I forgot to tighten the nosewheel strut and the nosewheel turned 90 Degrees on me.. ha.. so I straightened it out then tightened it. Then it was fly time.

I put a 13.5-6 Bolly Prop on the engine. First, the CG was absolutely perfect. It was as though that engine was designed for that plane.

Next, I took off, took a long roll and a slow climb to altitude at full throttle. I eased on the throttle and put in 6 clicks of down to get it to fly straight. That was it!! No aileron trim, nor any rudder trim was necessary. It flew just great!! I may have to add a little more authority to the ailerons, though. The rolls were somewhat sluggish with where they are set now.

Other than the six down elevator clicks, it flew absolutely straight and level, hands off right away. Beautiful flyer. And that engine.. well, you're right.. stump puller. I was at half throttle going straight, right to left, and pulled elevator to go vertical then ... THEN... added throttle. The engine went to full RPM and the plane started to head to the clouds. It got to a point where it was hard to see it to control its vertical climb, so I went to idle and pulled hard right rudder.. did a beautiful stall turn and headed down.

I did several rolls, several loops, one immelman, two split S's, and a few other maneuvers, and a bit of inverted.. all were really easy and required minimum control to keep things straight.

Just an amazing plane. And that engine.. yep... a good choice.

CGr