Hi,
This is one for all you Hot Spot fliers out there, I have
the maiden flight of one coming up (weather permitting),
are there any handling problems ala Roo that I need to
be aware of? Also at which point on the approach is it
safe to open the air brake and any trim change?
Mike

elevators 8mm up,
when using the airbrake two clicks up-elevator
fly two rounds with the airbrake (at low speeds) to become accustomed (but always think of the spoolup time and delay of thrust)

mec

My Spot was different. I had to apply down elevator when the speed brake was deployed. Not too much, but I had to apply some or she'd balloon on me. I eventually just mixed it in. I normally do a gear pass, then a 180 to downwind and deploy the speed brake there and then carry some throttle until I cross the threshold. Easy plane to fly. You will not have problems.

The HotSpot is easy to fly, you will find it to be very stable and rock solid. Takeoffs and cruise are entirely conventional.

For landing, unless you have unlimited room, it is important to get the airplane slowed down properly. The HotSpot will fly very slow but only in a nose-high attitude as is typical for a delta. Bring your throttle back to about a third and maintain altitude with elevator until you are roughly 5-10 degrees nose-high and slowed down. Anticipating throttle lag push the throttle up to around half to maintain slow flight. Extend the gear and make a gear pass. There are two ways to handle the speedbrake, you can extend it and fly a slow circuit first or extend it as you turn base to final. I do the latter but either will work. The HotSpot will maintain slow flight all day with the speedbrake extended.

With my Spot it does take some additional up-elevator when the speedbrake is deployed. You can either add trim or fly it around holding back pressure, it's a matter of personal choice. I like to just hold back pressure because then I don't have to worry about re-trimming if I go around.

Basically once established in slow flight with gear and speedbrake extended all it takes is a throttle reduction and you will start your descent for approach. Keep the nose up, if you let the airplane flatten out you will pick up speed and have too much energy for landing. Once you are set up at the proper speed and have the runway made you can chop the throttle to idle or preferable two or three clicks above idle. You should be able to see the bottom of the airplane on final and touch down nose high. A bounce is caused by excess speed. You will quickly find out it doesn't take much airspeed to keep a Spot flying! A well flown approach and landing will take no more than 300-400' on grass.

Make any decision to go-around early. The HotSpot has a great deal of lift so if it looks like you are too fast or especially if you are flat you are better off going around as you are likely to float right down the runway. Remember the HotSpot is a delta and has to be nose high to fly slow. If you try to force it on from a fast, flat approach you will probably bounce and once you get bouncing you will have your hands full.

I think you will find the HotSpot to be very stable, solid, and highly addictive! It is an incredibly satisfying airplane to fly, from my first HotSpot flight I very quickly lost interest in my prop planes! I wish you the best of luck with it. If you have any other questions feel free to e-mail me.

Thanks for all this info---A buddy and myself are fixing up our Spots to fly and this kind of info is sure to help---good posts

Thanks

Rod