Draker
Well Known Member
2023-07-03: Phase 1 Complete
Well, I've gone through all my planned tests and am ready to move on from Phase 1. I will not sign it off for aerobatics at this time, as I'm not aerobatic-trained. I also limited my G load testing to a little over 3.5G for this reason. May bring it back into Phase 1 much later on to do some aerobatic testing.
Thank you to VAF for encouragement and help during this build and test.
"Final" thoughts:
Plane is very capable, I'm getting there.
My only complaint is high CHTs. I'd like them about 20 degrees cooler especially during climb-out. Still have a few things to try to resolve this.
Generally happy with my panel layout and my decision to use toggles for mags/starting rather than a key.
I wish I put the fuel pump switch closer to the engine controls. It's kind of in an awkward, forgettable spot at the moment.
The plane's stall characteristics are wonderful. It just kind of buffets, then gently stalls. Even in banking, accelerated stalls, I have plenty of time to correct before the stall fully develops. With correct coordinated control input, the airplane just kind of levels itself.
It's a little more squirrely the further aft CG is, so I just need to be more precise keeping it coordinated. I am not spin trained so I did not allow it to go into a fully developed spin.
Climbed up to just below 17.5K and it was still climbing. It'll take me wherever I need to go altitude-wise.
Cruise performance TAS are 90-97% of what Vans advertises.
I can lean pretty aggressively before engine complains. Have not done a full "GAMI sweep" test yet.
A camera externally mounted to the wing tiedown actually has a small but noticeable effect on roll stability. Glad I tested it thoroughly. My op limitations required testing all configurations where I plan to have external stuff mounted.
I actually used my parking brake once when I forgot to bring chocks to the fuel station.
Two and a half months of flying before I take it to get painted! Here is a video and a few Phase 1 pictures:
Landing with medium aft CG, a little fast but not too bad in my opinion
Well, I've gone through all my planned tests and am ready to move on from Phase 1. I will not sign it off for aerobatics at this time, as I'm not aerobatic-trained. I also limited my G load testing to a little over 3.5G for this reason. May bring it back into Phase 1 much later on to do some aerobatic testing.
Thank you to VAF for encouragement and help during this build and test.
"Final" thoughts:
Plane is very capable, I'm getting there.
My only complaint is high CHTs. I'd like them about 20 degrees cooler especially during climb-out. Still have a few things to try to resolve this.
Generally happy with my panel layout and my decision to use toggles for mags/starting rather than a key.
I wish I put the fuel pump switch closer to the engine controls. It's kind of in an awkward, forgettable spot at the moment.
The plane's stall characteristics are wonderful. It just kind of buffets, then gently stalls. Even in banking, accelerated stalls, I have plenty of time to correct before the stall fully develops. With correct coordinated control input, the airplane just kind of levels itself.
It's a little more squirrely the further aft CG is, so I just need to be more precise keeping it coordinated. I am not spin trained so I did not allow it to go into a fully developed spin.
Climbed up to just below 17.5K and it was still climbing. It'll take me wherever I need to go altitude-wise.
Cruise performance TAS are 90-97% of what Vans advertises.
I can lean pretty aggressively before engine complains. Have not done a full "GAMI sweep" test yet.
A camera externally mounted to the wing tiedown actually has a small but noticeable effect on roll stability. Glad I tested it thoroughly. My op limitations required testing all configurations where I plan to have external stuff mounted.
I actually used my parking brake once when I forgot to bring chocks to the fuel station.
Two and a half months of flying before I take it to get painted! Here is a video and a few Phase 1 pictures:
Landing with medium aft CG, a little fast but not too bad in my opinion