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Old 07-25-2010 | 11:52 AM
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olnico
 
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Default RE: Stall Characteristics of the Bug

The last video is very characteristic of the trap that this airframe can get to you: on base leg you reduce the speed but fail to increase the thrust levels back to reasonable levels.
Then on final turn, you pull to avoid sinking. However, because of the specific shape that the plane offers in this configuration, the AOA is difficult to see. In fact you are now at high alfa and by the time you realize it, it might be too late.

Here is a perfect example:
http://www.geohei.lu/olin/videos/Hob...%201%20web.wmv

This was the 1/7th scale F-18F maiden a year ago.
Look at 2:20. I only saved the model from a crash landing in the sand thanks to the tremendous acceleration and high power rating of my P-200. Note the AOA of 45 degrees...
Same thing happens on the next landing try: look at 2:40 how the plane "sits" on the final turn. This time I had to land due to the fuel and I put the plane back on track into the runway at full power, reducing the engine only in the ground effect. The gear unlocked due to the poor retracts design.