Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 04:27 AM - Re: Answer to your question (Kayberg@aol.com)
2. 06:16 AM - Re: Lightning Flight Review (deuskid)
3. 06:27 AM - FW: Lightning Flight Report (Pete Krotje)
4. 06:33 AM - Re: Re: Lightning Flight Review (N1BZRich@AOL.COM)
5. 06:36 AM - Re: FW: Lightning Flight Report (N1BZRich@AOL.COM)
6. 06:47 AM - Re: Re: Lightning Flight Review (Jim Langley)
7. 07:04 AM - John Davis built N155LT FLS!!!!!!!!!!!! (nick otterback)
8. 07:20 AM - Re: John Davis built N155LT FLS!!!!!!!!!!!! (Rick Bowen)
9. 10:13 AM - Re: Answer to your question (Charles Dewey)
10. 12:41 PM - First Flight (Pete)
11. 02:35 PM - Re: John Davis built N155LT FLS!!!!!!!!!!!! (nick otterback)
12. 03:16 PM - Re: First Flight (Jim Langley)
13. 03:37 PM - Lightning update (John Davis)
14. 06:03 PM - Re: Lightning Flight Report (pequeajim)
15. 06:17 PM - Re: Lightning update (JOSEPH MATHIAS LINDA MATHIAS)
16. 06:36 PM - Re: Lightning update (N1BZRich@AOL.COM)
17. 07:06 PM - Re: Lightning update (John Davis)
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Subject: | Re: Answer to your question |
Just a quick note to mention that we are flying our Lightning at Green
Landings. (Yeah, Buz....Green Acres indeed!)
We have over 60 hours on it.
But because of building two others. it is not really "completed" No wheel
pants yet and no interior. And it usually has oil on the belly from being
rolled 100 times + !!
But you can certainly go for a flight if you come and see us. Check
_www.greenlandings.com_ (http://www.greenlandings.com) .
Doug Koenigsberg
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Subject: | Re: Lightning Flight Review |
[quote="N1BZRich(at)AOL.COM"]
The results of my test flight were published on the Esqual yahoo list at
the time (the Lightning list had not been started as I recall) and you can probably
go there and read it. But the bottom line is - Nick is a straight shooter.
The Lightning is a great flying kit aircraft.
Blue Skies,
Buz
> [b]
Is there a Yahoo Lightning group? I tried to find it just now and it didn't 'appear'
when I did a couple of searches...
Any link or forum name available?
thanks
John
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=88819#88819
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Subject: | FW: Lightning Flight Report |
Hi All,
Here is Buz Rich's flight report originally posted on the Lightning list
last July
Pete
_____
From: N1BZRich@aol.com [mailto:N1BZRich@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 2:15 AM
Subject: Lightning Flight Report
Pete, Nick, Ben: Give me some quick feedback tomorrow morning (Wednesday
before I fly home) before I send this out to the two list.
Buz
Hi All Esqual and Lightning talk members,
I must apologize for not getting this message out sooner. I flew my
Esqual LS (LS = Lightning Stuff) to Tennessee last Thursday, 6 July, to fly
the Lightning prototype (N233AL) and to help with writing the pilot's
operating flight manual. It has been a busy but, as always, a fun time. My
flight to Shelbyville was non stop in 3.6 hours, averaging 154 mph block to
block (had a small head wind most of the way). Total statute miles is 554
and my fuel burn averaged 5.5 gallons per hour. Not too bad.
When I arrived in the SYI area, Nick was airborne in 233AL on a "combat
air patrol" waiting on me, and needless to say he immediately "was on me"
and kept the "MIGS" at bay the rest of the way to "home plate". It would
have been nice to "play for a while" but after 3.6 hours I needed to land
ASAP.
I flew the Lightning solo late Friday morning, 7 July, 2006, and had a
great flight. Outside air temp for take off was already 85 degrees. Most
of my flight testing was done at 5,000 to 6,000 feet and the average OAT up
there was 72 degrees. I should have noted the density altitude, but failed
to do so. Needless to say, it was high. I topped off 233AL for the flight
(22 gallons total) so I estimate a take off weight of 1230. Remember, 233AL
being a prototype is probably 100 pounds heavier than production kit
Lightnings.
Take off in the Lightning was short and quick. At Shelbyville's field
elevation of 800 feet and 85 degrees, the Lightning was airborne in
approximately 500 feet. Runway lights helped me to estimate this distance.
I used 10 degrees of flaps for takeoff and after rotation I raised the flaps
accelerating through 75 and used 87 mph (Vx) for my initial climb. Passing
the end of Runway 18, I started a left turn and let the nose down slightly
to let the speed climb to 100 mph which is Vy. Initial rate of climb was
1200 feet per minute by the VVI and when I got to 5500 feet it was showing
800 fpm. Total time to 5500 feet was 5 minutes. That averages 1000 fpm in
my book. Not bad for a hot day.
After a few quick clearing turns to check the area (no MIGS) and to get
the feel for the airplane, I started doing some clean and dirty stalls. The
airplane flies with the ball centered with no tendency to roll when trimmed
hands off. However, I did notice that the right aileron is up about 1/2
inch in straight and level flight. Overall I did a total of ten stalls
each, clean and dirty, to make sure I had those numbers accurately
documented. Clean stalls, as in the Esqual, are quite nose high, but the
nose drop, when it comes, is not violent at all. There is a slight buffet,
then the nose slowly drops. There was a tendency for the left wing to drop
which was easily corrected with rudder. My assumption is that the left wing
low was due to me sitting on the left side. The clean stall occurred at
between 48 and 50 mph. Remember, I was not at the 1425 gross weight or the
1320 gross weight for the Lightning Sport Plane. Flaps down stalls occurred
at 34 to 36 mph. (Note: These airspeed numbers are from the EFIS now
installed in the Lightning. We already knew that the Lightning's standard
"round dial airspeed" reads low when at the slower speeds. The EFIS in
233AL reads exactly what 31BZ's EFIS and back up airspeed read when the two
airplanes are in formation.)
The Lightning's flaps go down a full 45 degrees as opposed to the
Esqual's 30 degrees full flaps. I did some of the flap down stalls at 45
degrees and some at 30 degrees just to get a comparison. I really didn't
note any difference in stall speed, but there is a big difference in drag.
Meaning the speed drops much quicker at 45 degrees and when you power back
up to recover it takes much longer to get a climb going. This could
possibly be a problem on a last minute go around with 45 degrees of flaps -
30 degrees is much better in my estimation. Just a thought, but Lightning
builders might consider changing the flap actuation system to only go down
30 degrees. Any way, the dirty stalls were not nearly as nose high, the
slight buffet was there to "talk to you", and the nose fall was gentle. The
tendency for the left wing to fall off was much less.
With the stall series out of the way, I could now play with the
Lightning to better evaluate how it performs. One maneuver I like to do
when evaluating aerobatic biplanes, is to put it in a 3 G level turn at some
airspeed to see if the speed falls off quickly, stays the same, or perhaps
increases. This is my way to see how quickly an airplane bleeds energy or
to measure excess energy. An interesting thing happened with the Lightning
while doing this maneuver. At 2900 rpm and 120 mph, in a 3 G continuous
level turn, the Lightning just keeps on holding 120 and pulling 3 Gs.
Pretty impressive. But what is more impressive is that if you push the
power up the Lightning accelerates while still pulling 3 Gs. No energy
bleed here - definitely excess energy. The wing makes the difference.
Speed runs at 5000' were about what I expected based on what Nick had
briefed me on. His initial flight test for performance data was done with a
Sensenich 64ZK54 (54 inch pitch prop) and were done during this past winter
and spring. At that time he was seeing 175 true mph at only about 3050 rpm,
and close to 190 when at full throttle - but was pulling the throttle back
to keep below the 3300 max rpm. Now, using the new carbon fiber ground
adjustable Sensenich, he is still experimenting with the correct blade
setting for optimum speed performance. Add to that the really hot high
density altitude and the speed numbers are lower than a Lightning builder
can expect with the correct prop setting. Here are the numbers I saw: 2850
= 150 true mph, 2950 = 157, 3050 = 165, 3150 = 170, and 3250 = 177. There
is no doubt in my mind, that the correct pitch prop on a standard day will
increase all of these numbers by at least 10 mph, probably more.
I like the way the Lightning flies more than I like how my Esqual
flies (and I really like 31BZ). Here are the main differences that I noted
(and these differences showed up again in a later formation flight). The
Lightning accelerates slightly faster and decelerates slower than 31BZ. The
different wing (shorter and different airfoil - a NACA 6200 series) has less
drag than the longer Esqual wing. This shorter wing also results in a
smoother ride when down low in turbulence. Pitch forces are light in both
aircraft, but slightly lighter in 31BZ (which is a lighter airplane). Roll
forces are slightly less in the Lightning (shorter wing). Roll rate is hard
to accurately measure, so I will just go on my past experiences and say that
it rolls faster than a Cessna or Piper, and slower than the RV series or
aircraft. I have only flown the RV-3 (I did the stall and spin test for a
friend) and it was a great airplane. Roll is way slower than my Pitts, but
then most everything is, expect the fighters I flew in the Air Force. I
would estimate roll rate at about 120 degrees per second, but then I could
be off. What ever it is, it is nice. Pitch and roll forces are well
harmonized at 120 mph and below. However, as speed increases, pitch forces
only slightly increase while roll forces go up a lot - just like most high
aspect ratio aircraft with relatively small ailerons. From what I remember
of my RV-3 time, as speed increased, roll forces stayed light, but pitch
forces went up a lot. Again the different wing design (smaller span with
larger ailerons) would cause this. Bottom line, the Lightning is a delight
to fly. A sporty feel with very spirited performance while being very
economical to operate. Wow!
Landings are actually easier than the Esqual in that the Lightning wing
seems to "groove" more, meaning that wind gusts and turbulence have less
effect on the Lightning. I made three landings, two using 30 degrees of
flaps and one with 45 degrees. You can fly a steeper approach with the high
drag that the 45 degrees gives you, but I feel that the 30 degree flap
setting is a better choice base on my comments above about go arounds.
Touch downs are easy and there is not much float if your airspeed is on
target. I used 60 mph on final in the Lightning and I always try for a full
stall landing. Once on the ground it rolls out straight and you can easily
make a 1000 foot turn off. If you want to use lots of brakes, you can stop
much shorter. Piece of cake.
Friday afternoon Nick and I flew a close (fingertip) formation flight to
gather some additional data to use in developing the performance charts.
N31BZ is equipped with fuel flow and manifold pressure (233AL, being a
prototype does not have this equipment) and we needed this information to
accurately predict cruise and range data. I had a copilot with me to write
down all the data, so all Nick and I had to do was accurately fly specific
speeds in close formation. At various speeds we wrote down rpm, IAS, TAS,
FF and MAP. Later we could compare these numbers and more accurately
predict 233AL's fuel flows and manifold pressures. The results are now in
the Lightning's flight manual.
I will close with a bit of good news for those of you that want to build
a light sport compliant Lightning. Nick and I have figured out a way for
you to have the neat gear leg fairings and the latest style wheel pants.
All you have to do is install a drag chute. The Lightning is really going
to be that fast.......and economical too.
Blue Skies,
Buz
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Subject: | Re: Lightning Flight Review |
In a message dated 1/19/2007 9:19:19 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
empire.john@gmail.com writes:
Is there a Yahoo Lightning group?
John,
No, you are on the only Lightning list that I am aware of. The Esqual
list was on yahoo (_esqualtalk@yahoogroups.com_
(mailto:esqualtalk@yahoogroups.com) ) but I think that most of the guys are not on this matronics Lightning
list. I will find the file for the Lightning flight review I wrote and
re-publish it on this list for the new list joiners to read.
Blue Skies,
Buz
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Subject: | Re: FW: Lightning Flight Report |
Hey great - Pete beat me to it. And apparently I posted it on both list.
After reading it I would be glad to answer any questions that any of the list
readers have.
Buz
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Subject: | Re: Lightning Flight Review |
Buzz:
Thanks for the flight review information. I am going down to WV this
weekend to look at the aicraft.
Jim!
On 1/19/07, N1BZRich@aol.com <N1BZRich@aol.com> wrote:
>
> In a message dated 1/19/2007 9:19:19 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> empire.john@gmail.com writes:
>
> Is there a Yahoo Lightning group?
>
> John,
> No, you are on the only Lightning list that I am aware of. The Esqual
> list was on yahoo (esqualtalk@yahoogroups.com) but I think that most of
> the guys are not on this matronics Lightning list. I will find the file for
> the Lightning flight review I wrote and re-publish it on this list for the
> new list joiners to read.
> Blue Skies,
> Buz
>
> *
>
> *
>
>
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Subject: | John Davis built N155LT FLS!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Theres more LIGHTNING IN THE sky!!!!
N155LT built by John Davis from Crossville TN has flown for the first time
today... good 35 minute flight smooth air no problems ...
Nick
N1BZRich@aol.com wrote:
Hey great - Pete beat me to it. And apparently I posted it on both list.
After reading it I would be glad to answer any questions that any of the list
readers have.
Buz
---------------------------------
Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question
on Yahoo! Answers.
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Subject: | John Davis built N155LT FLS!!!!!!!!!!!! |
CONGRATS guys!
Glad to hear Nick, how did it do?
Good job John!
Expect a "first flight report" sometime in the next 24 hours......after the
initial euphoria wears off!
Rick
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Subject: | Re: Answer to your question |
Thanks for the info Buz. I am not the huy you met at
that fly in... Charles
--- N1BZRich@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 1/19/2007 12:38:43 A.M. Eastern
> Standard Time,
> cdewey6969@yahoo.com writes:
>
> Where is KJGG?
>
>
>
> KJGG is Williamsburg, but I also have a hangar at
> Franklin and Wakefield.
> I usually have the Esqual at JGG. Were you the guy
> at the Virginia Regional
> EAA fly that I met at the Green "Acres" booth? You
> are not too far from Rick
> Bowen - his Lightning will be flying pretty soon -
> probably February.
> Blue Skies,
> Buz
>
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Two Photos of John Davis' Lightning just before first flight
Pete
_____
From: owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
N1BZRich@aol.com
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 8:33 AM
Subject: Re: Lightning-List: Re: Lightning Flight Review
In a message dated 1/19/2007 9:19:19 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
empire.john@gmail.com writes:
Is there a Yahoo Lightning group?
John,
No, you are on the only Lightning list that I am aware of. The Esqual
list was on yahoo (esqualtalk@yahoogroups.com) but I think that most of the
guys are not on this matronics Lightning list. I will find the file for the
Lightning flight review I wrote and re-publish it on this list for the new
list joiners to read.
Blue Skies,
Buz
Message 11
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Subject: | John Davis built N155LT FLS!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Nothing to report at this time just a good 35 minute flight to check intital flying
qualities and systems..and they all work! will give more later.
Nick
Rick Bowen <rollnloop@hotmail.com> wrote:
CONGRATS guys!
Glad to hear Nick, how did it do?
Good job John!
Expect a "first flight report" sometime in the next 24 hours......after the
initial euphoria wears off!
Rick
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Beautiful!
_____
From: owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Pete
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 3:41 PM
Subject: Lightning-List: First Flight
Two Photos of John Davis' Lightning just before first flight
Pete
_____
From: owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
N1BZRich@aol.com
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 8:33 AM
Subject: Re: Lightning-List: Re: Lightning Flight Review
In a message dated 1/19/2007 9:19:19 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
empire.john@gmail.com writes:
Is there a Yahoo Lightning group?
John,
No, you are on the only Lightning list that I am aware of. The Esqual
list was on yahoo (esqualtalk@yahoogroups.com) but I think that most of the
guys are not on this matronics Lightning list. I will find the file for the
Lightning flight review I wrote and re-publish it on this list for the new
list joiners to read.
Blue Skies,
Buz
Message 13
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Subject: | Lightning update |
Rick
I did not get to look at your airplane last week because at the last minute
I found that my Harness is wrong and none of the radios work.
Her are the first flight photos that Pete took.
Going down next Monday to try and bring it home.
John
-----
Message 14
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Subject: | Re: Lightning Flight Report |
Nice flight report and thanks!
Jim!
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=89013#89013
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Subject: | Re: Lightning update |
John,
Your airplane looks great; we look forward to seeing it next week.
Glad everything went well on the first flight; I know you are proud!
Linda and Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Davis" <johnsdtn40@charter.net>
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 6:37 PM
Subject: Lightning-List: Lightning update
> Rick
> I did not get to look at your airplane last week because at the last
> minute
> I found that my Harness is wrong and none of the radios work.
>
> Her are the first flight photos that Pete took.
>
> Going down next Monday to try and bring it home.
>
> John
> -----
>
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Subject: | Re: Lightning update |
John,
Congratulations on your airplane's first flight. The photos that Pete
sent out looked great. Of course it already looked great the last time I saw
it. I hope to fly out to SYI sometime soon (as soon as this ear block is
completely cleared). If you are still in SYI you are welcome to take a flight
in 31BZ. Hope to see you there, but if not, then Sun-N-Fun for sure.
Blue Skies,
Buz
Message 17
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Subject: | Re: Lightning update |
Buz;
I can fly from SYI and CSV so I will come down when you arrive or you
can stop at CSV and we will fly down together.
Hope to see you soon.
John
----- Original Message -----
From: N1BZRich@aol.com
To: lightning-list@matronics.com
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 8:35 PM
Subject: Re: Lightning-List: Lightning update
John,
Congratulations on your airplane's first flight. The photos that
Pete sent out looked great. Of course it already looked great the last
time I saw it. I hope to fly out to SYI sometime soon (as soon as this
ear block is completely cleared). If you are still in SYI you are
welcome to take a flight in 31BZ. Hope to see you there, but if not,
then Sun-N-Fun for sure.
Blue Skies,
Buz
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