SM F-80 First Flights...
11-04-2016, 04:44 AM
#1
SM F-80 First Flights...
Finally got the trim flights done on my SM F-80. Happy to report that they were un-eventful. I am very impressed with how she flies so far. Power is a trusty P-160SX, and guidance is by my JR 12X. All up weight is 44 lbs and includes full D4S lighting, nicely detailed cockpit, etc.
Thanks to all my RCU buddies for tips and help as I got her ready, but a special thanks to Harley Condra, and Springbok flyer (Jan), who went out of their way to help me with this project. Landings were especially nice, using Jan's reccommended flap settings, which are slightly less than SM calls for, BTW.
-Mike O.
Thanks to all my RCU buddies for tips and help as I got her ready, but a special thanks to Harley Condra, and Springbok flyer (Jan), who went out of their way to help me with this project. Landings were especially nice, using Jan's reccommended flap settings, which are slightly less than SM calls for, BTW.
-Mike O.
11-04-2016, 06:11 AM
#4
As a side note, the SM F80 is by far the most difficult to work on jet I have ever owned-
All of the equipment access is through the cockpit opening, or the nose wheel door area-It's like working in a hole, so to speak. And considering removing the cockpit/sliding canopy ass'y is about a half a days work, it seemed to take me forever to do simple tasks. I would think the sister airplane, the SM T-33 would be much easier, with the longer top hatch.
I managed to get through it in the end, but just a very difficult airplane to work on.
All of the equipment access is through the cockpit opening, or the nose wheel door area-It's like working in a hole, so to speak. And considering removing the cockpit/sliding canopy ass'y is about a half a days work, it seemed to take me forever to do simple tasks. I would think the sister airplane, the SM T-33 would be much easier, with the longer top hatch.
I managed to get through it in the end, but just a very difficult airplane to work on.
11-04-2016, 12:25 PM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 1,469
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Well done Mike, great to hear!
Very nice looking jet - yes they are not easy to work on. My install has been done in such a way that I use all the limited access for everyday purposes and the more inaccessible spaces for my annual inspections only.
Appreciate your kind words and glad that you have followed my input (which was in turn from Jack Diaz). The resultant landings are more because of the cg than the actual flap settings. Too many of these are flown with cg's set too far back.
Enjoy,
Jan
Very nice looking jet - yes they are not easy to work on. My install has been done in such a way that I use all the limited access for everyday purposes and the more inaccessible spaces for my annual inspections only.
Appreciate your kind words and glad that you have followed my input (which was in turn from Jack Diaz). The resultant landings are more because of the cg than the actual flap settings. Too many of these are flown with cg's set too far back.
Enjoy,
Jan
Last edited by Springbok Flyer; 11-04-2016 at 12:29 PM.
11-05-2016, 04:42 AM
#10
