Westland Lysander build

electroflyer · October 29, 2015, 08:03:10 PM

Thank you Andy!!

electroflyer · November 05, 2015, 07:33:10 AM

Good news, the Lysander flew...barely

. The aircraft is a STOL type however mine barely lumbered in to the air. It required flaps and slats to remain deployed the entire time as I had very little elevator control. I quickly made a decision to land as I soon realized that I had full throttle for pretty much the entire flight. Surprisingly, the plane landed hot but pretty smooth......phew!
After checking the drawings and the C of g, I am beyond convinced that the location is beyond wrong. I am therefore balancing this aircraft in a more conventional way. 25 to 30%. This meant removing almost 20 ounces of nose weight which was required to make the plan c of g.
I sort of think things will improve dramatically with next flight and I hope to try again Sunday...fingers crossed.
Glenn

Michael · November 05, 2015, 07:46:36 AM

It's still a flight, and it's still a successful landing. Congratulations!

2 things to consider:

1. Are you drawing enough amps/watts? If you're not, a bigger prop may help a lot with the power issue. If you are drawing enough power, ignore this.

2. Remove 20 ounces? That seems like a lot. Maybe proceed more cautiously; you don't want to be tail heavy.

Any body else? Am Are my comments wrong?

Gregor77 · November 05, 2015, 07:47:20 AM

Wow Glenn, the plane looks fantastic! It's a good thing that you landing it safely. Best of luck on the next flight. The weather this week looks good!

wollins · November 05, 2015, 07:57:08 AM

Congrats! After your tweeks I'm sure it'll fly as good as it looks.

Colin

electroflyer · November 05, 2015, 10:36:28 AM

Thanks guys,
It did look cool being all black against a bright blue sky, but unfortunately as you can imagine my focus was avoiding Terra Firma.
Michael, you are right about being careful with altering the weight radically, but after looking at a side view scale drawing, I became convinced that the way I originally envisioned the balance would have been far more reasonable. Basically, I am going to balance ahead of the main spar, near the fuselage and gauge the flight. It is still nose heavy, just not extreme. As for power, it is a Axi type motor 4130 swinging a 15 x 12 prop on 6s.

Wingnutz · November 05, 2015, 11:55:34 AM

Glenn,
Sorry I cut the model out of much of the first part of the flight (the cardiac circuit)...took a while to get ahead of it!
Tried to e-mail so you could post the link but the address I have bounced back. Congratulations!
Another impressive build and impressive test -piloting!

http://youtu.be/U4BB4ebD-yw

wollins · November 05, 2015, 01:05:31 PM

Certainly not lacking power.

Colin

sihinch · November 05, 2015, 01:43:18 PM

Nice flight. Congratulations!

I'm sure you'll get it dialed in.

piker · November 06, 2015, 03:35:30 PM

Awesome build, Glenn! It looks like it flies very well, but did look nose heavy the way it came in fast for the landing.

bweaver · November 06, 2015, 05:31:28 PM

Very impressive!!!!!!! Beautiful plane. Well done.

BJROB · November 06, 2015, 05:37:45 PM

Nice job Glenn
Man does that plane look awesome
Well done

Andy Hoffer · November 06, 2015, 08:28:16 PM

Bravo!!

My heart was in my mouth watching the video. Looks like a handful! Could you give us your observations on the maiden flight?

Andy

electroflyer · November 06, 2015, 09:47:28 PM

Thanks guys for the kind words and encouragement.
Andy, the plane was a handful. I was working the sticks to get the plane aloft and then keep it there. It was severely nose heavy, but that was based on the drawings. My gut feeling was that the drawing had the C of g too far forward, and given the motor, battery location and the heavy landing gear this aircraft should have required almost no nose weight, but to my shock 20 ounces was required to make the position indicated.
It was very strange to have to hold full up elevators the entire flight and full flaps deployed to gain height where I could relax (slightly). I cut the flight short to ensure power on landing and given the fact that the elevator was maxed out, power is what allowed a smooth but hot landing. The plane should be flying like a Cub and I suspect it will once the balance is confirmed and she is properly trimmed. I can hardly wait to try again!
Glenn.

Wingnutz · November 07, 2015, 08:27:57 AM

Move over Chuck Yeager...you've met your match as a test pilot! Nice job Glenn!
That first circuit really was a heart stopper....sorry my sloppy work with the iPhone missed a lot of the initial wobbling efforts to climb. Keep us posted about how the taming of the beast goes. We know you'll do it!