I should be done with my motor mount tonight and can move on to more fun things.

Without trying to be redundant, I sure like this plane so far.

I should get a couple of pictures up this weekend.

-Richard.

I made some progress on the Sickle over the weekend.

-Richard.

Some additional shots.

Lookin' good, Richard.

May need a couple more breathing vents for that Axi.

The front mounting certainly looks like a lot less trouble to install than the firewall needed for the Himax, Plettys, etc.

Bob,

I was going to square the pilot holes up at some point to get more air flow through the motor.

This is one of the few front mounts I have had the pleasure of setting up, and they are just a little easier.

-Richard.

About the canopy mounting system that comes with the kit that I could not figure out.

I cut out my own hold down hooks similar to a BVM product used on jets and that took care of the canopy hold down system.

-Richard.

I will be ready to maiden next Sunday.

I had a friend over to hold while I checked the motor run on the Scorpion.

Drawing 84 amps using an APC 20x10 at around 3200 watts, enough for the Sportsman Pattern.

My scale is not that accurate and it was reading just below 11 lbs, but I don't really care.

Going back to the garage to check, match and limit throws - set the incidence earlier today.

How many degrees of throw on the rudder, ailerons and elevators did most people settle on?

-Richard.

I set my Sickle at about 12 degrees on aileron & elevator to start then adjust to get the desired rates. Rudder mostly all you can get and I use lots of expo on rudder.
Dave

OK, all finished, it is ready to fly as far as I can tell.

Thanks for the help.

-Richard.

That's enough for anything![X(]

Seems pretty high on the amp draw at 84 and a little low on the prop pitch with a 20x10. Many electric set-ups use something like 21x14 or 20.5x14.5.

But I am not at all familiar with the Scorpion motor you mentioned. I thought it was an Axi.

Good luck on the maiden. This thing is built well and mine needed only a couple clicks of aileron and one click of elevator to get it grooving pretty nice right off the grass.

It turns out the prop was a 22x10.

I'll pick up some 20x12 and 20x13 options tonight.

-Richard.

The maiden flight went well today, thanks to Steve Dente for the honors.

I packed up after 10 or so flights and you know that I am very happy.

After all of the work done before me by all of you - the balance worked great on the first flight.

The proscribed 2 degrees of down trim and the down lines were straight as an arrow.

Thanks for all of the information, it allowed a short build to produce excellent results.

-Richard.

Which scorpion is it?

This is the Scorpion S-5030-220 F3A motor on 10S.

-Richard.

We are having exceptional weather right now and as luck would have it, Archie Stafford was in town.

Archie was nice enough to fly my Sickle and make recommendations on little things that need to be done to improve the way it fly's.

Thanks again Archie for taking the time to help me with this new build.

Regards,

-Richard Felkins.

Richard,

You guys have amazing weather. I can't thank you enough for letting me fly your Sickel. Looking forward to flying with you guys again soon,

Arch