N645E Elite Amphib First Flight
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:02 pm
I'm proud to announce first flight of my Elite on 1800 amphibs this past
Sunday, October 26. Second flight was Monday, and third flight was today on
Tuesday.
I did some taxi tests on conventional gear, but first flight in the plane
was on amphibs from our 2400 foot paved runway in the woods on Whidbey
Island, Washington State, W10.
YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7yZ2g07pFI
This was a big project and I couldn't be happier. The plane immediately felt
very safe in flight. It has good, conservative flying attributes. It also is
very light, hops in the air, climbs incredibly, and lands nice and slow.
Very nice light control feel. Stable.
I don't have reliable numbers. After first flight, I felt it took 2 feet for
takeoff, 4 feet for landing and roll out. After third flight and much
clearer observation it is an easy 500ft takeoff and 900 foot landing with
roll out. In other words, the Amphib Elite would be comfortable on half of
our 2400 foot airstrip in the woods. I'm 200lbs, half tanks and an empty
weight of 1320lbs. Floats are painted, interior is painted, exterior of
plane is not painted yet (plane will gain some weight).
Power: Superior XP-O-360 180HP, constant speed 2-blade MT-propeller.
Climb seems to be about 1200-1300fpm at 70-80kts. Cruise at 75% power wheels
up indicates 100kts, TAS 108kts. Approach needs to be 65+kts on short final,
maybe a tad more, more with higher weights? First notch of flaps is easy to
put in at less than 100kts. Second notch at below 80kts. Haven't used much
more flap, but don't see the need for the very long Murphy flap handle. More
data later.
Many, many thanks to everyone on this list. The wealth of information has
been critical to the success of this project. I hope to contribute more to
the list now that I know that my project is a success. Yes, this is the
first airplane I have built.
Cheers,
Eric Fogelin
Elite 645
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Sunday, October 26. Second flight was Monday, and third flight was today on
Tuesday.
I did some taxi tests on conventional gear, but first flight in the plane
was on amphibs from our 2400 foot paved runway in the woods on Whidbey
Island, Washington State, W10.
YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7yZ2g07pFI
This was a big project and I couldn't be happier. The plane immediately felt
very safe in flight. It has good, conservative flying attributes. It also is
very light, hops in the air, climbs incredibly, and lands nice and slow.
Very nice light control feel. Stable.
I don't have reliable numbers. After first flight, I felt it took 2 feet for
takeoff, 4 feet for landing and roll out. After third flight and much
clearer observation it is an easy 500ft takeoff and 900 foot landing with
roll out. In other words, the Amphib Elite would be comfortable on half of
our 2400 foot airstrip in the woods. I'm 200lbs, half tanks and an empty
weight of 1320lbs. Floats are painted, interior is painted, exterior of
plane is not painted yet (plane will gain some weight).
Power: Superior XP-O-360 180HP, constant speed 2-blade MT-propeller.
Climb seems to be about 1200-1300fpm at 70-80kts. Cruise at 75% power wheels
up indicates 100kts, TAS 108kts. Approach needs to be 65+kts on short final,
maybe a tad more, more with higher weights? First notch of flaps is easy to
put in at less than 100kts. Second notch at below 80kts. Haven't used much
more flap, but don't see the need for the very long Murphy flap handle. More
data later.
Many, many thanks to everyone on this list. The wealth of information has
been critical to the success of this project. I hope to contribute more to
the list now that I know that my project is a success. Yes, this is the
first airplane I have built.
Cheers,
Eric Fogelin
Elite 645
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List archives located at: https://mail.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
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