Seagull Spacewalker II 120 Arf
#426
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A word of warning on CA hinges: Two of three hinges on my left aileron were totaly obliterated. I was lucky that I noticed this on the ground and this is just after 5 hours airtime. I replaced the left aileron hinges with pin hinges and will keep am eye on the remaining one. Additionally I the hatch bolts keep getting loose in flight, so I have lost them all and once the cocpit flew off during the flight, lucky that it fell on grass without damage. I am using nylon screws instead of metall bolts now and it does not get loose in flight anymore.
#427
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It sounds like you have a vibration issue. Suggest you check your prop and/or spinner balance. Good luck
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The hatch screws on the SW are prone to coming out unless tightened enough one thinks they are going to crush wood.
I think I promised a report on adjusting the wheel position. I haven't done that yet but did check the tail weight and found it greater than my other models of similar size, significantly so. For example, the tail weight of the SW is 26oz whereas my Ultra Stick Lite which is also a 120 size model and of similar size albeit a lb or so lighter, was 12oz. The SW then has almost one pound more tail weight than does the USL. To clarify, what I'm measuring is the weight sitting on the tail wheel.
I think it goes without argument that the mains position of a tail dragger is somewhat critical. Too far aft and the plane is tippy to taxi and too far forward and the plane will experience both hobby horse landings and may experience premature takeoff. The USL with 12oz on the tail wheel has no taxi problems or hobby horse landings. I'm thinking the 26oz on the SW is excessive and a problem and I may try later this evening or in the morning to shim the gear to move the main wheels aft.
The other issue that plagues my SW is that power on and power off trim are still not the same. When trimmed for full power, the glide slope for landing under no power is too shallow. There is currently some up trim witnessed by the forward ends of the elevator balance tabs being down one eighth.
I've mixed the elevators to go neutral trim at low throttle and will check tomorrow to see if that produces a better landing glide slope.
Previously, wing incidence was increased to reduce the up trim needed, which had been a quarter inch of up elevator and a more severe disparity in power on/off trim. Perhaps a little more positive in the wing is needed.
I'll report results of the changes.
I think I promised a report on adjusting the wheel position. I haven't done that yet but did check the tail weight and found it greater than my other models of similar size, significantly so. For example, the tail weight of the SW is 26oz whereas my Ultra Stick Lite which is also a 120 size model and of similar size albeit a lb or so lighter, was 12oz. The SW then has almost one pound more tail weight than does the USL. To clarify, what I'm measuring is the weight sitting on the tail wheel.
I think it goes without argument that the mains position of a tail dragger is somewhat critical. Too far aft and the plane is tippy to taxi and too far forward and the plane will experience both hobby horse landings and may experience premature takeoff. The USL with 12oz on the tail wheel has no taxi problems or hobby horse landings. I'm thinking the 26oz on the SW is excessive and a problem and I may try later this evening or in the morning to shim the gear to move the main wheels aft.
The other issue that plagues my SW is that power on and power off trim are still not the same. When trimmed for full power, the glide slope for landing under no power is too shallow. There is currently some up trim witnessed by the forward ends of the elevator balance tabs being down one eighth.
I've mixed the elevators to go neutral trim at low throttle and will check tomorrow to see if that produces a better landing glide slope.
Previously, wing incidence was increased to reduce the up trim needed, which had been a quarter inch of up elevator and a more severe disparity in power on/off trim. Perhaps a little more positive in the wing is needed.
I'll report results of the changes.
#431
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I provided a 15° wedge shim to angle the gear back. It looks bad and only reduced the weight on the tail wheel by 6 oz (half what is needed). To do that is not the answer or a reasonable fix. I expect what is needed is to move the mains about half way from where they are at towards the CG. Unfortunately to move the gear mounts internally would require significant effort so it might be more reasonable to move them externally.
To do so, it might be possible to mount a 1/4" aluminum plate in the stock holes that extends aft the necessary amount to provide a new mounting location for the gear. I estimate that the wheels should be moved aft between 2-2.5 inches.
To do so, it might be possible to mount a 1/4" aluminum plate in the stock holes that extends aft the necessary amount to provide a new mounting location for the gear. I estimate that the wheels should be moved aft between 2-2.5 inches.
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Bingo... the throttle to elevator mix that neutralizes the elevator at low throttle solved the trim disparity between power on/off trim to allow a correct landing glide slope.
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Its been quiet here in the thread, I have now several hundreds of flights with mine and it comes nearly every weekend with me to the field. Just a short video from this weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdHVERkCtuc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdHVERkCtuc
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I maidened my SpaceWalker yesterday. It was way too nose heavy - but I wanted to try it that way first. I'm running a Saito 30cc 4 stroke gas engine.
I'm moving my batteries further back and am also going to install a new fuel tank - also further back. However this will create problems in doing up the wing retaining bolts.
So, I'm thinking of using the existing wing bolts as pins (by chopping off the heads) - so this will make sure the wings are sitting correctly then putting some sort of retaining straps across the bottom of the fuselage that stick out either side that I can then screw up some retaining bolts into the wings. Anyone done anything like this?
I'm moving my batteries further back and am also going to install a new fuel tank - also further back. However this will create problems in doing up the wing retaining bolts.
So, I'm thinking of using the existing wing bolts as pins (by chopping off the heads) - so this will make sure the wings are sitting correctly then putting some sort of retaining straps across the bottom of the fuselage that stick out either side that I can then screw up some retaining bolts into the wings. Anyone done anything like this?
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Is it possible to install engine at 90 degrees instead of upside down?