Hi Rick !
Glad you're back in the air again !!!
Wow ! You've got the furthest forward C of G of ANY flying
Rebel I know - sounds like a few pounds in the back might be a good
idea. (I usually carry a tool kit in the baggage area - solves the
weight problem, and the tools come in handy ! ;-) )
(My CofG is at 8.1" aft of datum - these days, MAM suggests 12")
This is one reason several builders have chosen to use the Scott 3200
tailwheel - it adds a few pounds 'way back there. ;-)
You're absolutely right - it IS impossible to load the Rebel
outside of limits without bumping into gross !!! Isn't that a really
NEAT feature !!??? How many airplanes can claim THAT ??!!!
The weight in back will help the flair. FWIW - I <ALWAYS>
take off AND land with FULL flapperons. The Rebel was designed to
use the flapperons to reduce stall speed and improve performance
on BOTH ends of the flight - so I USE them !! Bleed down to
second notch of flapperon after climbing to about 50 ft. or so -
this gives best climb. Play with yours - one notch <might> work
better ...
To use the full position safely, I approach at about 75+ mph,
which gives a very steep approach, cutting through wind gradients
without any risk, then break the glide at about 20 feet, eventually
levelling out about a foot above the ground. I let it float there
while I get to the "right" attitude for touchdown. The speed bleeds
off VERY quickly once level, so get the tail DOWN. Do not try to
approach below 65 mph until you are VERY familiar with the Rebel -
it will develop a very high sink rate, while still having full
control. This often fools people into thinking they are flairing,
when they are really descending over 1,500 feet/min. !!! This usually
results in a bent bird ! :-(
The O-235-L2C really LIKES to rev. - cruise should be at
about 2,450 or more, so it sounds like you need to back off a bit
on the pitch. Your engine is "new", so you don't want to lug it
while breaking in - normall procedure is full throttle until the
rings seat (about 2 hours or so ...) Peak RPM on some L2C's I've
flown was 2,700 ! If you get over 120 hp., you should add another
notch of negative flapperon - it will pull it. With one notch neg.,
you should get about 112-115 mph, and the second notch will give
another 3 mph, and a smoother ride in turbulence ! Always use
negative for cruise - it unloads the wing, making it more gust-
resistant.
Glad you're enjoying the Rebel - welcome to the club !!!
We're the guys with the BIG smiles !!! ;-)
Keep building guys - it REALLY <IS> worth it !!!
......bobp
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