Grand Esprit and some questions
06-09-2006, 09:26 AM
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Grand Esprit and some questions
First, let me show you my Grand Esprit. I got the kit from my buddy that passed away last year and have been working on it for a few weeks.
He had an orange one he wrecked in a wicked cross wind and I've got the only surviving wing panel left from that one too. It was a wonder flyer as I remember. I got as much time on it as I could and he flew my original Aquila.
This kit was in storage since 1985 so it really is an old timer.
I finished framing the wings and almost done with the fuselage, but I do have a question.
I keep hearing about "dutch roll". What is that.
Also, when I get ready to set up the controls, I need help and guidance with the Vee tail.
Anyway, here is the results of several weeks of work.
Hope it is up to the craftmanship that I see on this forum.
I have an Opus too, but that's another story.
SkipinHouston
He had an orange one he wrecked in a wicked cross wind and I've got the only surviving wing panel left from that one too. It was a wonder flyer as I remember. I got as much time on it as I could and he flew my original Aquila.
This kit was in storage since 1985 so it really is an old timer.
I finished framing the wings and almost done with the fuselage, but I do have a question.
I keep hearing about "dutch roll". What is that.
Also, when I get ready to set up the controls, I need help and guidance with the Vee tail.
Anyway, here is the results of several weeks of work.
Hope it is up to the craftmanship that I see on this forum.
I have an Opus too, but that's another story.
SkipinHouston
06-09-2006, 02:33 PM
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RE: Grand Esprit and some questions
Dutch roll or not I got the wing roots fiberglassed today with heavy 6" tape and 30 minute epoxy. I don't want the same thing happening to the Esprit that happened with my Aquila.
Like I used to say when I was building my hot rod, "another bite of Elephant gone".
SkipinHouston
Like I used to say when I was building my hot rod, "another bite of Elephant gone".
SkipinHouston
06-10-2006, 01:51 PM
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RE: Grand Esprit and some questions
Don't worry about dutchroll on the GE. I've seen a few fly and none of them showed any signs of this issue. With gliders it would be most likely to show up in the launch phase. But none of them even had any problems there either unless it was due to a lazy throw from the pilot.
A Grand Esprit is a great way to decorate the sky!
A Grand Esprit is a great way to decorate the sky!
06-10-2006, 07:33 PM
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RE: Grand Esprit and some questions
Got some more "grunt" work done today.
Not only did I fiberglass the other wing root, I put the Aquila style wing tips on my Grand Esprit. I don't know if they were this way originally, but I love the look.
I know, I know, it ain't engineering......................... its art [8D].
Skip
Not only did I fiberglass the other wing root, I put the Aquila style wing tips on my Grand Esprit. I don't know if they were this way originally, but I love the look.
I know, I know, it ain't engineering......................... its art [8D].
Skip
06-11-2006, 07:39 AM
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RE: Grand Esprit and some questions
Hey, those tips look excellent.
I did the same about 20 years ago on an OlyII and grin every time I look at them. Yeah, the Oly ain't exactly the type model you'd expect to see such slick and graceful looking tips on, but we do what we do.
Dutch roll is really simple. When you don't have enough stabilizing from the tail, the airplane sorta swishes it's tail in flight. Sorta flies like a naughty woman walks.
I did the same about 20 years ago on an OlyII and grin every time I look at them. Yeah, the Oly ain't exactly the type model you'd expect to see such slick and graceful looking tips on, but we do what we do.
Dutch roll is really simple. When you don't have enough stabilizing from the tail, the airplane sorta swishes it's tail in flight. Sorta flies like a naughty woman walks.
06-13-2006, 05:51 PM
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RE: Grand Esprit and some questions
Well, I made a little more progress today. Got the wings mounted and checked the dihedrial. Dead on.
Now I can block the wings and fuselage and go ahead with the V-tail assembly and make sure the incidence is correct, but I'll have to move the hot rod out of the garage so I'll have room to work.
I put it on top of the golf cart to get an idea of the wing span.
Getting pretty close. Maybe I CAN fly this summer.
SkipinHouston
Now I can block the wings and fuselage and go ahead with the V-tail assembly and make sure the incidence is correct, but I'll have to move the hot rod out of the garage so I'll have room to work.
I put it on top of the golf cart to get an idea of the wing span.
Getting pretty close. Maybe I CAN fly this summer.
SkipinHouston
06-13-2006, 11:47 PM
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RE: Grand Esprit and some questions
It's looking great Skip. You're well past the 1/2 way point now. Shouldn't have any problem at all catching a thermal with it before the summer is out.
Just keep a light foot on the winch. The GE is a floater with thin wings and needs to be coaxed up the line like the delicate lady she is.
Just keep a light foot on the winch. The GE is a floater with thin wings and needs to be coaxed up the line like the delicate lady she is.
06-15-2006, 05:05 PM
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RE: Grand Esprit and some questions
Skip, nice work. The Esprit flies well, I've had mine since 1977. It seems to thermal best when the speed is kept up a bit, unlike other flat-bottom ships. They winch fine, but as Bruce suggests, fly it up.
John
John
