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Scale 50cc Scratch Build From My Own Design Revisited

pawnshopmike

Staff member
This is the same post as I made in the I'm going flying thread in case you've already seen it.

Well after more than 3 1/2 years since the day I glued the first pieces together, my scratch build project "Miss Moana" flew today!!!

When I got to the field this morning the wind was barely blowing. I assembled the airplane and the second I hit the switch on the fuel pump to fill the tank the wind started blowing. By the time I rolled it out to the starting area the wind was blowing pretty good. A bunch of people had showed up to see the maiden, so I decided I was at least going to start it and let it run for a bit and wait for the wind to die down. It took forever to start. Way harder than usual for a DA50. We flipped and flipped for quite a bit and finally it popped on the choke. Turned the choke off and flipped and flipped and flipped and it just wouldn't start. My partner in crime Tony suggested we let it sit for awhile, so we stopped for a few minutes and rested our weary arms. When I turned everything back on and he gave it a flip, it started right up. Crap like that only happens when you have an audience.

We let it run for awhile and it seemed to run just fine. I shut it off and we were standing around talking when I noticed the wind had died down. I asked Tony what he thought and he gave me the nod so I told him lets give it a try.

It started right up and seemed to be running great, so it was time. I taxied out and pointed it into the wind and started to roll on the throttle. I let it take off when it wanted to, since it weighs as much as a small anvil and horsing it off the ground could possible go badly. It took off just fine and wasn't horribly out of trim which was nice though it did need some right aileron and a click or so of down.

In the air it's a bit elevator sensitive, so it could be a bit tail heavy, but I forgot to do the 45 degree inverted climb test to see. After flying around for awhile I decided to make a few approaches and see how it felt. After the first slow pass I decided since the wind was picking back up again I shouldn't push my luck and go ahead and land. I came back around and made my approach . When I got it lined up I slowly came off the throttle and and it settled in nicely until it was about 3 feet off the ground and it just kept floating with all that headwind. I didn't think pigs could float that well. ;) It finally made a nice smooth touchdown and I was a very happy camper.:)

I wasn't all that nervous before the flight, but my thumb was a bit shaky after takeoff, but that went away after I could tell it was flying well. But after I landed I could barely get the pin flag back in the hole to shut it off.
:lol2:
It was pretty windy so I only flew it once, but I was very happy with how it did. There are so many things going through your mind on a project like this. Did I get the thrust right, the incidence, the balance and a hundred other things when your the guy that designed it.

There are a few things I need to look at. I need to take a look at the wheels because it really doesn't roll all that well for some reason. I had several clicks of right aileron trim in it, but it still needed a little more. I looked after I landed and you could barely tell I had put any trim in it. I was expecting to see a lot. The trim steps must be set pretty small in the transmitter. It needs more expo on the ailerons and elevator.

All and all I'm extremely happy with how today went. It flew well and nothing blew off.;)

I have no video, but a friend did take some in flight pictures that he's going to email me, so I'll post them when I get them. Here is a before and after picture , I'm very happy that they look so much alike.:D

View attachment 97064 View attachment 97065
:brian-banana::woohoo!::brian-banana:
 

Jetpainter

640cc Uber Pimp
Way to go Buddy. . . . . . . :yesss:. I am so happy things went well on your maiden, as I am sure all of us followers are. @WMcNabb hit the nail on the head, you should be proud. It has to be exhilarating to fly a plane you designed and built yourself. I'm sure it will only get better as you get your balance figured out.

I hope you have MANY years of enjoyment flying Miss Moana. She certainly is one gorgeous airplane. . . . . :big_yes:

Now that its finally finished, could I interest you in building a Magic? . . . . . . .:laughing:
Is the Magic wood or glass? Who's kit?
 

Jetpainter

640cc Uber Pimp
Thanks for all the nice comments guys!

Here are a few shots one of my buddies emailed me from today's flight. I should be getting some better ones from another guy as well.

Takeoff.

Takeoff.JPG



In flight

Inflight-1.jpg


Landing

Landing .JPG
 

stangflyer

I like 'em "BIG"!
Way to go.... Very nicely done. I am so pleased for you. Isn't it funny, (ODD) once that fearful and frightening first flight is done and over...and the plane is back on the ground in one piece that we chuckle silently to ourselves and think..."Well how about that"? And then that massive and behemoth smile takes over...starting at the corner of your lips and migrates clear down to your toes. Only stopping for just a second at your heart, which is swelling with pride and glory. The follow up flights are going to be so much fun for your. Damn I wish I could have been there to see it. Good on ya.
hand-clapping-smiley-emoticon.gif
 

Snoopy1

640cc Uber Pimp
It does look good in the air. Congratulations on everything and every part of the build. It is great that you have the first flight over with and you can settle down and enjoy the plane for many years to come.
When you came home how many times did you look at it clean it I bet it was quite a few times.
 

Jetpainter

640cc Uber Pimp
I have a Hobby Barn glass and foam kit, but I was just joking so I will drop it. I apologize for de-railing your thread.
No need to apologize David. It's not out of the realm of possibilities on my end. If you had a Phoenix, say 6, 7, or 8, or a Tipo you wanted done, I might even be more inclined.;)
 
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