The NotForSale
- Thread starter Javabeans
- Start date
Javabeans
30cc
Here it is pretty much finished. I didn't do a great job documenting the wing mount that I used. I think that was mainly because I was in a rush to get it to the field for the maiden. Essentially I made a Jesus bolt mount in which you slide the FG spars between two pieces of wood that are squeezed together by a bolt to hold them in place.
I wanted a wing mount that was sturdy enough to hold the wings, yet be a quick attach and release unit. At the same time I wanted it to be forgiving in the event of a crash to minimize damage to the wings. I'll explain later how this worked exactly as it was supposed to, but I am going to change it anyway.
I was extremely excited about how the plane looked and could not wait to get it the air. I must have sat in the kitchen for 30 minutes just looking at the NFS and feeling happy that it was finally built after so long. Because I used the wrong size hinge pins, I ended up with a big gap between the control surfaces, but I decided to fly it as such and see how it went. The pin striping was the final the touch and she was all set for the field that Saturday.
I wanted a wing mount that was sturdy enough to hold the wings, yet be a quick attach and release unit. At the same time I wanted it to be forgiving in the event of a crash to minimize damage to the wings. I'll explain later how this worked exactly as it was supposed to, but I am going to change it anyway.
I was extremely excited about how the plane looked and could not wait to get it the air. I must have sat in the kitchen for 30 minutes just looking at the NFS and feeling happy that it was finally built after so long. Because I used the wrong size hinge pins, I ended up with a big gap between the control surfaces, but I decided to fly it as such and see how it went. The pin striping was the final the touch and she was all set for the field that Saturday.
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Javabeans
30cc
Maiden. I brought the NFS to the field to meet up with a couple buddies who were also part of the club balsa build contest. When I got to the field there was no wind and a nice temperature. Perfect conditions for a maiden flight. My thought was to fly something else first to warm up the thumbs as it were. The only other thing I had with me was mu DLG, so I thew it up a few times but it was too calm and too early for thermal activity, so I gave up.
My buddy got his camera ready and I brought the NFS to the flight line and checked the controls. I slowly applied power and the tail lifted off the ground as it gained speed and everything felt good, so I goosed it and up I went. My initial flight consisted of a few rolls and loops and along with some tail wags to be sure everything was tight. It took two clicks of the elevator to get it to fly hands-off. When the timer went off I had to double check it because it felt like the flight was shorter than the 5 minutes I programmed in, but the clock was correct so I lined it up for an approach.
I had done a glide check during the flight and knew it floated well, so I powered off and headed in. About 3 feet off the ground I played with the throttle to smooth out the lading, but it really wasn't necessary. Back on the ground, with a grin from ear to ear...
My buddy got his camera ready and I brought the NFS to the flight line and checked the controls. I slowly applied power and the tail lifted off the ground as it gained speed and everything felt good, so I goosed it and up I went. My initial flight consisted of a few rolls and loops and along with some tail wags to be sure everything was tight. It took two clicks of the elevator to get it to fly hands-off. When the timer went off I had to double check it because it felt like the flight was shorter than the 5 minutes I programmed in, but the clock was correct so I lined it up for an approach.
I had done a glide check during the flight and knew it floated well, so I powered off and headed in. About 3 feet off the ground I played with the throttle to smooth out the lading, but it really wasn't necessary. Back on the ground, with a grin from ear to ear...
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Javabeans
30cc
Thanks. I enjoyed flying the NotForSale so much that it is the only thing I flew for two full weekends! The only reason I stopped was because I brought it down too low and dumped it into the corn!!! Everything worked exactly as I wanted it too; the wings came off, the battery ejected and the bottom plate came loose instead of destroying the landing gear. Very little damage to be fixed, but I am still going to redesign how the wings are attached... I want them firmer.
Fantastic flying airplane!
Fantastic flying airplane!
Dr. Gonzo
70cc twin V2
Wow, what a jog down memory lane. I remember some members of our club back in the 90's built that plane. It was one of the really old guys who started it. There was a certain look to these guys planes. Well built but they still looked a certain way. Hard to explain. Yours looks so much better! I enjoyed the read. About that time I had a Morris Hobbies spinsation. What an awesome fun plane.
Dr. Gonzo
70cc twin V2
Wow, what a jog down memory lane. I remember some members of our club back in the 90's built that plane. It was one of the really old guys who started it. There was a certain look to these guys planes. Well built but they still looked a certain way. Hard to explain. Great guys. Yours looks so much better! I enjoyed the read. About that time I had a Morris Hobbies spinsation (fun plane). A "hotts" and a scratch built version of the midwest strike master. Ah, the good ol' days. Thanks so much for the article.