Today's Message Index:
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1. 05:08 PM - Re: Lightning Flight review (Colin J. Kennedy)
2. 08:05 PM - Re: Lightning Flight review (N1BZRich@AOL.COM)
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| Subject: | Lightning Flight review |
Buz,
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your flight review. There
are lots of us out here hanging on your every word.
There has been some correspondence around what some judge to be light pitch
control on the Esqual. I understand from your Lightning flight review that
it is not quite as light in pitch.
As you understand the fuselage modifications, would you expect them to
effect pitch control in any way?
Now we just need you to fly and review a Lightning with the modified
fuselage. Get back to work! :-)
Colin K.
Oklahoma
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| Subject: | Re: Lightning Flight review |
In a message dated 7/13/2006 8:09:24 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
cjk129@cox.net writes:
As you understand the fuselage modifications, would you expect them to
effect pitch control in any way?
Hi Colin,
Good to hear from you. The Lightning fuselage modifications result in a
lighter fuselage. Most of the excess weight was removed from the tail
(initially it was way overbuilt), so it will not be as tail heavy - therefore
less
pitch sensitive as the CG moves forward. Another modification that Nick
made was to make the elevator aerodynamic counter balances smaller. Now they
actually are behind a section of the stabilizer instead of out in clean air.
Nick thought the initial design (when they were out in clean air) made the
Lightning a little too pitch sensitive. Kind of flew like the aft CG, 80 HP
Hybrid before Nick made the counterbalance mod. Hope this makes sense. I wish
I
had a picture to send.
Remember the Esqual does not have aerodynamic counter balances at all,
just the elevator hinges behind the stabilizer. The Lightning was designed
that way because it will cruise faster and Nick didn't want the extra speed to
make the pitch forces increase as speed goes up. The RV series of aircraft
do this - in fact most aircraft do this if they don't have boosted controls.
In effect, the Lightning has aerodynamically boosted elevators.
The rudder on the Lightning is also aerodynamically boosted for the same
reason (faster cruise) and the result is more effective rudder and a lighter
rudder feel. It is really nice. The Esqual's rudder feels slightly heavy
to me.
Yes, I do think my Esqual is slightly more pitch sensitive than the
prototype Lightning as it is now. But remember, other than the Hybrid (Lightning
wings on Esqual fuselage) this is the only Esqual I have flown and it has
lots of mods. To give you an idea of how sensitive it is, 20 pilots have now
flown my Esqual. Most of them in the left seat. Their experience ranged from
a 150 hour Cherokee pilot to multiple thousands of hour air line types.
Only three did not initially over control in pitch. They were two current Pitts
pilots and a Lady pilot (FAA examiner) with lots of time in many types
including lots of glider time. (Note: She has ordered a Lightning Kit.) However,
having said the above. All 20 of them flew 31BZ with no problems after the
initial minute or two to get used to the stick feel. In fact, one had never
flown an airplane with a stick. The point being is that all of them flew it
fine after they got their "hands calibrated".
So far a Lightning with the lighter fuselage has not flown. Earl's will
be the first and it is about ready for the FAA inspection. As I understand
it, Nick will make the initial flight/flights and then Earl will take over.
I am sure he will share his thoughts after flying it for a while. Remember,
Pete, Nick, and all the Arion crew will insure the total allowable CG range
will be test flown before kits are released. Other than two Lightning
dealers, Earl's is the first customer kit.
Just to reiterate, my overall impression of the Lightning is
"outstanding". I have to keep telling myself - this is not an aerobatic airplane.
It
is a beautiful design that looks like it is going Mach 2 just sitting on the
ramp. It is a great flying sport aircraft that has amazing speed on a very
economical fuel burn and all other performance factors, such as take off roll
and landing roll, are also very impressive because of the low stall speed. It
handles like a sport plane with spirited performance. You will love it. I
want one.
Blue Skies,
Buz
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