---------------------------------------------------------- Tailwind-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sun 04/11/04: 4 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:34 AM - Flight test progress (William Bernard) 2. 06:06 AM - Re: Flight test progress (dmagaw@att.net) 3. 06:12 AM - Re: Interesting (Robert Ardis) 4. 12:13 PM - Re: Flight test progress (William Bernard) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:34:10 AM PST US From: "William Bernard" Subject: Tailwind-List: Flight test progress Tailwind testing is going pretty well so far. I've got things tweaked so that it will fly hands and feet off in smooth air. It took a bit of adjustment of the flaps and ailerons, lowering the horizontal stabilizer leading edge and a tab on the rudder. I've stalled it (power off, no bank, forward C.G) with and without flaps. Indicated stall speed was 55 flaps up and about 51-52 flaps down. The interesting thing was that with full aft stick, the nose did not drop through, but only pitched down slightly and the aircraft continued to settle at about 700 fpm. I'm sure other stalls can be more interesting, but I'm impressed. The aircraft is easily controllable and has good control response. The only problem I've had so far is making consistently good landings. Most of them have been kind of like 'Navy Landings' - hit with a big THUMP. Approach speed has been about 80 on final to avoid a high sink rate that others have mentioned. Suggestions are appreciated. I'm now exploring the handling with increased weights I have 130 lbs of ballast in the right seat. Got just over 13 hours so far. Bill N40WB ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:06:54 AM PST US From: dmagaw@att.net Subject: Re: Tailwind-List: Flight test progress Bill: Sounds like you are having great fun. You description of the power off stall is very typical tailwind behavior. Go up a few thousand feet more than usual so you have some room to play, then put in a power off stall. Hold the stick back and try your ailerons and rudder. You will find them quite effective still. You wouldn't hardly know the plane wasn't flying except for the high descent rate. In a power on stall, you will have to get the nose up unreasonably high, and it will break then, usually falling off one way or the other very suddenly. My W-8 always broke to the right. Need to be quick on the rudder to catch it. However, I have never tried really kicking the rudder and putting a tailwind into a spin, though have done many in a Pitts. A tailwind will do an OK roll, although slow compared to a Pitts. Landings are a matter of getting the feel for the plane, and the trikes land just like the taildraggers--need to hold it off just above the runway until it won't fly, and the stick is back (though not all the way). I usually get to high, and it drops some, but I am getting much better with some practice. I try to keep the nose wheel off the runway as long as possible. Another problem I used to do more than now, is flair to much and bob back up a bit. Then I was to high when it quit flying. I try to flair to level and then keep pulling back hold it off until it quits flying. Have fun! Dave From: "William Bernard" Subject: Tailwind-List: Flight test progress --NextPart_Webmail_9m3u9jl4l_347_1081688789_1 Tailwind testing is going pretty well so far. I've got things tweaked so that it will fly hands and feet off in smooth air. It took a bit of adjustment of the flaps and ailerons, lowering the horizontal stabilizer leading edge and a tab on the rudder. I've stalled it (power off, no bank, forward C.G) with and without flaps. Indicated stall speed was 55 flaps up and about 51-52 flaps down. The interesting thing was that with full aft stick, the nose did not drop through, but only pitched down slightly and the aircraft continued to settle at about 700 fpm. I'm sure other stalls can be more interesting, but I'm impressed. The aircraft is easily controllable and has good control response. The only problem I've had so far is making consistently good landings. Most of them have been kind of like 'Navy Landings' - hit with a big THUMP. Approach speed has been about 80 on final to avoid a high sink rate that others have mentioned. Suggestions are appreciated. I'm now exploring the handling with increased weights I have 130 lbs of ballast in the right seat. Got just over 13 hours so far. Bill N40WB --NextPart_Webmail_9m3u9jl4l_347_1081688789_1 Tailwind testing is going pretty well so far. I've got things tweaked so that it will fly hands and feet off in smooth air. It took a bit of adjustment of the flaps and ailerons, lowering the horizontal stabilizer leading edge and a tab on the rudder. I've stalled it (power off, no bank, forward C.G) with and without flaps. Indicated stall speed was 55 flaps up and about 51-52 flaps down. The interesting thing was that with full aft stick, the nose did not drop through, but only pitched down slightly and the aircraft continued to settle at about 700 fpm. I'm sure other stalls can be more interesting, but I'm impressed. The aircraft is easily controllable and has good control response. The only problem I've had so far is making consistently good landings. Most of them have been kind of like 'Navy Landings' - hit with a big THUMP. Approach speed has been about 80 on final to avoid a high sink rate that others have mentioned. Suggestions are appreciated. I'm now exploring the handling with increased weights I have 130 lbs of ballast in the right seat. Got just over 13 hours so far. Bill N40WB --NextPart_Webmail_9m3u9jl4l_347_1081688789_1-- ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:12:10 AM PST US From: "Robert Ardis" Subject: RE: Tailwind-List: Interesting --> Tailwind-List message posted by: "Robert Ardis" What did Dennis mean by "if you are not married"? My wife wanted to know. >From: "Dennis Flamini" >Reply-To: tailwind-list@matronics.com >To: "tailwind-list@matronics.c" , > >Subject: Tailwind-List: Interesting >Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 22:24:18 -0500 > >i came across this at Hicks, looks great if you are not married. > >Dennis in Dallas > > >Back to Listings > > Airpark Hicks Airfield - Fort Worth, Texas > Description This property is located 12 miles northwest of downtown >Fort Worth, 7 miles north of Meacham airport, 10 miles north east of >Carswell Joint reserve base, and 7 mile south of Alliance airport. It is >also a very short drive to Texas Motor Speedway. The airport is private, >owned by the property owners, has approximately 50 permanent residents, >around 300 hangers, Airport Restaurant, 24 Hour fuel, Flight Schools, >Aircraft parts Supplier, A&P's, Instructors, and a 3740' paved runway. The >lot size is 95'X75', the hanger is 55'WX75'LX25'H or 4,125 Sq.FT. It has >one 16'x44' electric main door, 8'x10' remote controlled vehicle door, and >standard personnel door. The electrical service is 200 amps, with generator >and backup panel. There are six Quartz High Bay lights of which only three >are needed. The home is located in the back upper 1/3 of the building, >approx.(1300 sq.ft.), has a (4) ton heat pump, is carpet and tile >through-out, with a 12'x15' & 16'x18' bed room. The master bedroom has a >10'x6' walk-in closet, 10'x10' master bath, with walk-in shower, & >whirlpool tub. The living area is approx 15'x25', with a 5'x8' bath off the >north side. The dinning area is open & adjacent to the kitchen and living >area. The kitchen has lots of storage, with utility room & pantry off the >kitchen. Home has security camera/intercom system, which includes access >control of the personnel door. The intercom also exists in the lower level. >The lower level of the home (Pilots lounge/Game room) is 20'x25', with >bath, small kitchen area, overhead TV, and could be used as another >bedroom. All major appliances are included with the home. >Asking $175,000.00 509-528-4880 > Contact Bryan Spicer - 509-528-4880 or :Jan Lary @ 817-656-1040 > Email: bspicer@charter.net > Photos > > > (Please click on photo to zoom in and use your browser's Back button >to return to this page) > > ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 12:13:50 PM PST US From: "William Bernard" Subject: Re: Tailwind-List: Flight test progress --> Tailwind-List message posted by: "William Bernard" Dan, Jim, Dave, Thanks for the advice. Since this morning's post, I've been flying. I found that if I slow down a bit, to about 70-75 over the 'fence', and carry a little power, the landings are much better. I've been tending to flare too high and probably rising a bit after initiating the flare. The result was a hard landing. The nose doesn't seem to come down quite so fast at more aft CGs. With me and almost full fuel. the CG is near the forward limit. I may end up carrying some lead shot in the back when flying solo. Heaviest weight so far is about 1465 pounds. Right now, I've got the plane loaded for a test at or near gross weight, which I've set at 1600 pounds. I'm amazed at how 'solid' it feels at the low end of the speed range. It really doesn't feel squirrley at 70 mph indicated at all. Top speed at 3000 msl, 27 inHg and about 2800 rpm is 175 mph indicated. The GPS gave an average ground speed of 166 mph. Thanks again for the advice. Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: Subject: Re: Tailwind-List: Flight test progress > Bill: > Sounds like you are having great fun. You description of the power off stall is very typical tailwind behavior. Go up a few thousand feet more than usual so you have some room to play, then put in a power off stall. Hold the stick back and try your ailerons and rudder. You will find them quite effective still. You wouldn't hardly know the plane wasn't flying except for the high descent rate. > > In a power on stall, you will have to get the nose up unreasonably high, and it will break then, usually falling off one way or the other very suddenly. My W-8 always broke to the right. Need to be quick on the rudder to catch it. > > However, I have never tried really kicking the rudder and putting a tailwind into a spin, though have done many in a Pitts. A tailwind will do an OK roll, although slow compared to a Pitts. > > Landings are a matter of getting the feel for the plane, and the trikes land just like the taildraggers--need to hold it off just above the runway until it won't fly, and the stick is back (though not all the way). I usually get to high, and it drops some, but I am getting much better with some practice. I try to keep the nose wheel off the runway as long as possible. Another problem I used to do more than now, is flair to much and bob back up a bit. Then I was to high when it quit flying. I try to flair to level and then keep pulling back hold it off until it quits flying. > > Have fun! > Dave > >