Well, 2 Symphony's have flown this week. Don Ramsey flew his Monday and reported he was happy. I flew mine on Tues in a pretty strong wind so some downwind stuff was difficult to judge and need to wait for a calm day to tell some things.

First flight was very nerve racking for me as I have had more than my share of first flight problems. She took off with a jump(too much elevator throw) Switched to low rates for elev and continued on. The plane presents well and flew only requiring several clicks of down elev. The ailerons locked into any attitude which is unusual to me, but good news also. On the first pull to vertical it jumped off to the left and continued to do this through the first flight(see below) Also, on vertical it pulled to the belly very noticeably.(see below) Ailerons were extremely fast so switched to low rates there also. Differential was checked by going vertical then coming down and rolling, at 4%(preset) the roles were axial on the downlines. Heard a metal to metal chinking so landed without problem.

My coupler clamp was responsible for the noise so fixed that and fueled up. I changed all my rates to a lower amount(feel this is a good sign) This take off was much more smooth and relaxed. The plane still shot to the left on verticals so I added 3 clicks of right rudder and it improved. The pull to the belly was still there. With left rudder in knife edge, it pulled to the belly and with right rudder it was pretty straight(again windy) I accidentally did a flat circle with right rudder only and it had no ail coupling at all. The first 90 degrees were just to test the rudder effectiveness, but then continued the circle as it was fun. Vertical power was good and a snap roll with flying rates was very slow. So decided to land and make a few adjustments. I let it get too slow on landing, especially for as much wind as there was, but it didn't drop a wing or loose control at all.

I adjusted the wing to decrease positive incidence 1 turn each. Originally I had the wing +1 degree compared to the stab. Lance at Aerslave had told me this was too much but thought I would fly it and make adjustments as I go.

3rd flight was much better. The verticals still bothered me so I added 2 more clicks of right rudder and low and behold the verticals were straight now(apparently, I didn't have the rudder centered from the start so simply was flying with an amount of left rudder) After landing the rudder was visualized to be straight(no counterbalance so hard to see) The verticals were better with the incidence adjusted and didn't fly to the belly and I was able to take a little down elev out so will adjust again next time I fly.

Overall, I am very happy. Remember I set the incidence off a little as a safety issue as there wasn't one flying yet. As more flights are put on I believe we can correct this and then report what worked. I had tighted the rudder cables the day before and didn't recheck where the rudder was which is what caused it to pull to the left. Once the rates were adjusted the plane flew very smoothly. Slow roles were easy. Once I get the wing/stab incidence set, then I can comment better on Rudder/elev coupling. Am looking forward to the next time to fly to make adjustments and get a little more comfortable. Also of note, the plane didn't seem to be affected by the wind anywhere near as much as my Smaragd. This is a pleasant surprise.

Here are some specifics:

YS 140DZ with Central Hobbies wrap around header, Hyde mount standard and Hatori Pipe, 24oz Tetra tank. 2400mah NiMH battery(4 cell) JR 10sx. Rudder Pull/Pull with JR 8411, Elevator CST .07pushrods from 1 Jr 8411, Ail JR 9411sa with Central Hobbies 1/8 pushrods and titanium ends. CG was at backside of wing tube. Did use CF wing tube and CF stab tube with the Gator adjuster for the stab. Landing gear was from my deceased Smaragd, Tetra 3" wheels and B+P Wheel pants.

Elevator throw 10 degrees
Aileron thro 12 degrees up 11 degrees down, low rates were 10 degree up and 9 degree down.
Rudder throw, 2.5 inches

All up weight was 10lbs 14 oz.

Will post more when I can fly and get a few more picts with decals etc. Maybe Don can post some of his results also.

Ed

Ed,

Great to hear the first flights went well. Can't wait to see it in action next year. I hope we continue to have such a hotly contested masters class next year.

My YS hasn't made it back yet, I am having pattern withdraw!


Jeff

Hey, ED!!! That sounds like a sweet bird....well done! To echo Jeff's comments (yes, I'm WATCHING you JEFF!!!), next season should be a really good Masters hoo-hah....particularly since we'll ALL be learning the new game!!! Yee ha!

So the Symphony is actually 10 lb 32 oz???? <VBG>

Way to go Ed... sounds like its going to trim out nicely.

I am almost tempted to fly Masters too. Looks like its going to be a fun schedule.

Wayne G.

BTW Bring it to Hot Springs... If you want to hook up and me with me here I'll drive to Hot Springs, your welcome to.

Yes, Wayne....PLEASE move to Masters. We need fresh meat.....

Ed - would you go all that way with someone who jabbers as much as TOYMAKER???
(How's the couplers holding up?)

Bob,

blah, blah, blah, blah, blah

I know you understand me perfectly clear.

I would really have to start a regular pratice schedule if I where to move to Masters.

Would you prefer your meat tender or well done?

W.G.

Sorry to go off topic here guys but...

Where do you buy the B&P wheel pants at? I tried looking for their website when I was looking to get a starter, but couldn't find it or where to buy one for that matter.

Thanks!

TEEHEE love that banter.

HAd a great trimming day today. Very little wind but what was there was cross wind. Felt much more comfortable. Had the rudder correct this time. Did dial another full turn on the gator adjusters, of positive incidence OUT. Haven't taken the meter and checked it all yet. Did go to a smaller elevator control arm for let sensitivity. Had my first dead stick and it does float but still would have landed on most fields. Also added 1 degree differential which seemed to help the axial rolls, just looked goofy not quite straight.

Lessons learned;
1.5 snap required high rates ail and elev to get the speed I like, but was fun after a couple to get used to
Big sweeping radii look great
The plane presents very good in the air(must be the pink and purple)
The rudder is super effective, still had to dial out more for slow and point rolls
Slow and points rolls very easy once the rudder dialed lower
The spins didn't want to stall so have to play with that a little more.

I am very very happy with this plane,just have to get about 50 flights onit to feel really comfortable.

Here are a couple picts with decals and the inside of fuse.

ed

Man, Ed...that's a litre Coke bottle in there, ain't it???

Just in case there's anyone on the planet who does NOT know what/where you fly, you may want to describe your "flying site" (particularly for those of us who HATE you for having it!!!)

Sounds like you're already very comfortable with the plane....spin entry is a tricky bird....let us know what you do to get the "break".

VERY nice plane, and great update, Ed!!!

On the wheel pants I have just spoken with Max or Todd Blose, we fly at their contest. Don't know if they have a website or not. I'm at work right now so don't have their ##. Would just suggest calling and asking.

Ed

Ed, thanks for the update, and congrats! I really enjoyed reading your flight reports.

I have one question, who took the picture of the plane with the open canopy. The photographer is wearing closed toed shoes so I know it can't be you . I don't think I've ever seen you not wearing sandals.

Hope you bring that beautiful bird to Hot Springs, I can't wait to see her fly. I hope to get out Saturday to see Lance maiden his Symphony.

KeithB

Yeah, I would like to KNOW where that is.
It looks like a runway or an empty highway.

By the way, the plane is a Beauty![:'(]

IP

Ed's probably out flying, enjoying that glorious site and wonderful airplane.

He flies at what USED to be Reese AFB, just slightly W of Lubbock, Tx. Completely unlimited overfly, horizion totally free of ANY obstruction, flat in all directions to the horizon (nearly) and....the RUNWAY is 10,000 feet long, by 250' wide ...Yep...TWO HUNDRED FIFTY feet *WIDE*.....

Now everyone knows why I make the drive out there. There just isn't a more wide open flying site in the universe....unless it's W of the Rockies!

He has to fly that pink and yellow scheme because the sky is incredible crystal blue almost 365 a year!!!

That must really suck having to struggle through on that site and that plane.

The downside to all of this concrete and an ability to land 1/2 mile away is you can lose your skills to think quickly should a flame out occur.

You also end up with the distracting dilema of when do we move to the other side of the runway to get away from the sun. Everyone has different ideas of at what point do we move the vehicles. This of course is very burdensome as the toilet is on the other side of the runway then(we have such terrible problems at this field)

Please notice this is said in total humor.

Ed

Here in Pensacola we fly with TWO 10,000 ft runways!
Who has runway envy now boys!!!!......

There *IS* a point, beyond which, additional length is of no benefit whatsoever....

Just like altitude?.....