This will be kind of a go anywhere thread, but I had an interesting day today at our local field. I got the early and first with my Ultimate and played with a small electric (which I later smacked[:@]) until others came rolling in. Funny thing is, the next and only other two planes that arrived for most of the day were the new W/H Yak and a "baby" Edge. What a day to not have a camera[&o] The way it worked out finally gave me an opportunity to get my hands on the new Yak.

Before I go any further, let me say that the Yak was not set up for optimum performance with a Moki 1.8, and of all props, a Zinger 20-10. I thought is was a little under powered, over propped, or both at between 14 and 15 pounds. A Moki 2.10 would probably handle it well, though. The owner had it set up pretty conservatively since he is still getting used to a larger, higher performing plane and prefers precision, not 3D. The control travels were pretty short, there was only one rate, and no expo. Even at that it flew extremely well, had about as little pitch coupling in knife edge as I've ever seen and with zero roll coupling. I had thought the Sukhoi had the least pitch and roll coupling but the Yak is lesser still. Extremely positive on the controls and stopped exactly where you wanted it on the controls every time. It has a super effective rudder requiring very little input to achieve beautiful results in a slow roll or K/E. There were no mixes used, and the owner considers the Yak to be a quote "honest airplane" end quote. Lands real light as well. It's his first W/H and he says it's a keeper. I do too!

My opinion of the Yak is that if you can fly either the 28% Edge or Extra you will like the Yak. Easy and sweet!! I'd love to fly one with more power and wilder controls. That would be awesome! You guys with the 50cc engines must have a killer plane[sm=sunsmiley.gif]

Last week I had a crappy landing and did the no-no prop strike with a C/F prop on the Ultimate. Inspection after the "arrival" appeared to indicate that all was well with the exception of the tip destruction of a $65.00 prop. As most know, you can have a minor strike with a wood prop and often get away with it because the prop usually breaks. A C/F prop often will usually not break and transmits the impact shock though the engine and airframe, frequently tearing the engine off the firewall with any airframe. As a rule, the bigger they are the worse it gets. That fails to note any potential bearing damage that may occur in the engine.

Well today I got to find out how well the W/H motor boxes are put together. It seems that last weeks' prop strike had loosened the glue joint enough where the engine vibration from the next flight finally broke the engine mounting plate loose from the side plates. If the firewall and side plates had not been tabbed as they are my cowl, engine, and airframe would have gone three different directions on the second flight of the day. As it was, the tabbed construction permitted the assembly, although now loose from other pilot induced causes, to remain attached to the airframe and permit a safe landing of the plane for an easy repair. Good design, Tom!! There were NO additional pins installed by the user and in IMO are not needed. What's nice is that all the W/H planes have similar engine box construction.

All in all it was a great day! Wild Hare owned the field, I got to fly the new Yak, and I was able to see a "baby" Edge again that I reviewed so long ago. Everything flew well and everyone went home pretty darned pleased with the day. I hope everyone that could get out and fly today had as great a day.

Pat

I wish I could have got out to fly today, but it just didn't play out for me. After I got back from church I sat down with my extra and put a few productive hours in completing it.

It seems like I see more and more Hare's at our flying field also. Great quality at a great price,And the customer service to back it up promises many years of new planes for us to brag on at the field. Mr Tom is doing all the good!!
Shaun

Pat,
I had a similar experience with my WH extra. The mount came unglued and still stayed together until, upon taxiing in I noticed it was shaking pretty bad, and took off the cowl to have a look. A little expoxy and glass for good measure later, and its still together. These things really do hold up!

I tell everyone to drip thin CA into the firewall/motorbox side joint from the rear until it will not absorb any more. There is something about laser cutting that makes the wood resist glue.

TF

As I noted, the break in the glue joint had nothing to do with a lack of glue. That sudden bang on the ground with the tips of a carbon fiber prop was the cause. All in all I was lucky it did not tear the engine off the front of the plane as so often happens with a C/F prop. I seriously doubt that the airframe would have even noticed if I had been using a wood prop at the time. I'm just pleased that you had the fore thought to have the construction methods used that you did.

Well I was the only "Wild Hare" at the field this weekend. By the way it was HOT this weekend. I really do like this plane. This is my first "giant" airplane and while I will say it is easy to fly but I find myself loosing altitude a lot faster than I realize sometimes. It looks like it is falling slowly during spin manuvers but I guess gravity and 17 lbs. want to get close to each other pretty fast. I have about 70 flights on it so far this year with many more to come.

come on shaun you gotta be done now texoma is coming fast (like i can razz somone )

I'm trying,I'm trying............. I only have a hour or so more and I'll be finished with the plane. Then I'm dropping it off to my mentor to give it a once over....
You are SO right!!! I need to already be done with the building ,and be practicing for my first IMAC contest.I know I'll probably come in dead last,But I'm still looking forward to the event.Hope to see ya there.
Shaun

Just a question, the WH yak at 15lbs has a wingloading thats right up there with the bigger 50cc lbs in the 18lb range.....it flew light an all that good jazz? My extra at 18lbs shows its wingloading.

Good question. Perhaps it's the design shape of the wing, and the relationship of the empennage to the rest of the airframe. I've flown a 28% Edge at 21 pounds that although it flew and landed well, it would have been better lighter. Airplanes be funny critters sometimes.

I'm not sure if there was a question in there, if so can you make it a little more clear?

TF

I'm not absolutely positive, but I believe he suggesting that his Extra flies "heavier" than his Yak with a similar wing loading and wonders why. Now if Mr. hooks would be so kind as to come back in and let me know if I guessed correctly...

Shaun and I are from the same Club. Our members have had 9 hares combined. Its always fun when several show up at the field.

1 28% Extra Special (old style)
1 33% 260
1 28% New Extra
3 28% edge(one lost when hit a pole)
1 33% prototype Gextra
1 35% extra
1 35% giles(lost due to faulty receiver antenna)

I own two of them and have had a chance to fly all the rest except the new 28%. They all fly great!