The Wex's F-14 madien report
09-03-2009, 08:26 PM
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The Wex's F-14 madien report
OMG!!!! Where do I start. First off the plane flew great. I got three flights in today. First one was a quick three minutes. Them a five minute then finally set the timer for 6 min. The next one will get another minute increase. I think I will get to 8 minutes when she's all dialed in.
I did not swing the wings. I wanted to get very familar with it before I jumped to the next step. I don't anticipate swinging the wings to be a big deal but that is just the way I do things. Baby steps for me. It ensures that there will be many many more flights to come.
I wasn't able to weight it yet but dang she felt heavy. It lifted off in about three hundred feet. And lands happily in four hundred feet. Definatley power on all the way till touchdown. No pitch change in full flap. A little in take off flap. Flew it around at a click oer half throttle with the 120 sx's
Had to leave the gear down for all three flights. I need to program the gear/door valve to give me more time till the doors close. They were getting hung up on the nose. So even with the gear down it flew fine. No weird yaw or anything.
tracks on the ground like a frieght train. Point it and go. Gear held up great. For as long as those mains look I thought that might be a weak point but the were solid.
The pipes are in great shape. After all the pipe hype recently I definatley wanted to keep my eye on these. So far no areas of concern.
I am really happy with this plane. Even though this one is not mine I have treated the biuld like it was and everything was done the best I could do. I can't wait for mine which should be here in a couple weeks. Great feeling to have already flown an plane that you have coming.
Only things I did differently was mod the steering servo bracket and used some different hardware. Nothing wrong with FEJ hardware except that some of the pushrods seemed a bit too short or too long. So I swapped them out with some H9 stuff.
I am looking forward to the next day(probably next week) of flying this bird. So far, I don't see any reason why this bird can't handle 300 flights a year.
Scott from Plane art Video was there on site to flim the whole madien process. He should have some ggod stuff up by tomorrow. Can't wait to see it.
Billy
I did not swing the wings. I wanted to get very familar with it before I jumped to the next step. I don't anticipate swinging the wings to be a big deal but that is just the way I do things. Baby steps for me. It ensures that there will be many many more flights to come.
I wasn't able to weight it yet but dang she felt heavy. It lifted off in about three hundred feet. And lands happily in four hundred feet. Definatley power on all the way till touchdown. No pitch change in full flap. A little in take off flap. Flew it around at a click oer half throttle with the 120 sx's
Had to leave the gear down for all three flights. I need to program the gear/door valve to give me more time till the doors close. They were getting hung up on the nose. So even with the gear down it flew fine. No weird yaw or anything.
tracks on the ground like a frieght train. Point it and go. Gear held up great. For as long as those mains look I thought that might be a weak point but the were solid.
The pipes are in great shape. After all the pipe hype recently I definatley wanted to keep my eye on these. So far no areas of concern.
I am really happy with this plane. Even though this one is not mine I have treated the biuld like it was and everything was done the best I could do. I can't wait for mine which should be here in a couple weeks. Great feeling to have already flown an plane that you have coming.
Only things I did differently was mod the steering servo bracket and used some different hardware. Nothing wrong with FEJ hardware except that some of the pushrods seemed a bit too short or too long. So I swapped them out with some H9 stuff.
I am looking forward to the next day(probably next week) of flying this bird. So far, I don't see any reason why this bird can't handle 300 flights a year.
Scott from Plane art Video was there on site to flim the whole madien process. He should have some ggod stuff up by tomorrow. Can't wait to see it.
Billy
09-03-2009, 08:43 PM
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RE: The Wex's F-14 madien report
Like I said in the Wex's F-14 build thread - I feel fortunate to have been there! The heavy iron Cat is an absolute keeper...just SICK!!
Nice job Billy and Lowell!!!!!!!
Spence
Nice job Billy and Lowell!!!!!!!
Spence
09-03-2009, 08:53 PM
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RE: The Wex's F-14 madien report
I think I will do just that Buck, except I'll sub in a margarita and hit the spa[8D]
I just told Lowell, my face hurst from smiling ALL day.
I just told Lowell, my face hurst from smiling ALL day.
09-03-2009, 09:23 PM
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RE: The Wex's F-14 madien report
Thanks to all for being so patient on this project. Billy has proven what a MASTER he is and I did not want to rush him. Bags, McBride, and Grice, thanks for all the input. It all made the maiden one with no issues.
Billy flew it like he was "one with" the plane. From the time the nose wheel came up at 300' to the landing, Billy was in tune. This plane was rock solid and the pipe and gear as Billy said was flawless. FEJ's has a definate winner with this one. Take it out first time and bring it home without a hitch.
Billy, thanks again and I too am still "higher than a kite" and I haven't even waxed it yet!!! (That one's for you Dougie!).
Scott will have the video tomorrow (and a BIG thanks to he and his wife).
Thanks again,
Wex
Billy flew it like he was "one with" the plane. From the time the nose wheel came up at 300' to the landing, Billy was in tune. This plane was rock solid and the pipe and gear as Billy said was flawless. FEJ's has a definate winner with this one. Take it out first time and bring it home without a hitch.
Billy, thanks again and I too am still "higher than a kite" and I haven't even waxed it yet!!! (That one's for you Dougie!).
Scott will have the video tomorrow (and a BIG thanks to he and his wife).
Thanks again,
Wex
09-03-2009, 09:40 PM
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RE: The Wex's F-14 madien report
Nothing Like an awesome maiden,
Great job Billy and Lowell.
I cant wait to see the video. Also congrats to FEJ, they are surely providing some nice stuff.
Kevin
Great job Billy and Lowell.
I cant wait to see the video. Also congrats to FEJ, they are surely providing some nice stuff.
Kevin
09-03-2009, 09:51 PM
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RE: The Wex's F-14 madien report
Thanks Kevin and DR Doom....we're still grinnin' about it. Kevin, I agree that FEJ has a real winner here. James was extreamly helpful getting us all we needed to make it happen. It's nice to get that kind of support. He was a pleasure to work with at all levels.
Wex
Wex
09-03-2009, 11:20 PM
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RE: The Wex's F-14 madien report
I'll call Dreamworks tomorrow Billy! It's the only thing missing! Man I can't get the grin off my face.....
Thomas, thanks guy. Now get yours done!!! They are something in the air my friend!
Chad, you'll see it at Fresno!!
Wex
Thomas, thanks guy. Now get yours done!!! They are something in the air my friend!
Chad, you'll see it at Fresno!!
Wex
09-03-2009, 11:33 PM
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RE: The Wex's F-14 madien report
ORIGINAL: jet time
I'll call Dreamworks tomorrow Billy! It's the only thing missing! Man I can't get the grin off my face.....
Thomas, thanks guy. Now get yours done!!! They are something in the air my friend!
Chad, you'll see it at Fresno!!
Wex
I'll call Dreamworks tomorrow Billy! It's the only thing missing! Man I can't get the grin off my face.....
Thomas, thanks guy. Now get yours done!!! They are something in the air my friend!
Chad, you'll see it at Fresno!!
Wex
Lots of machine work left to do