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Tue April 25, 2006 1:53am

Rating: 10.00

Bugs66

Registered: February 2004
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 2,005

Outstanding! Congratulations! How about a first flight report? Put a post in the Experimental forums because I don't think many people read the photo comments. Must have been a great feeling. Can't wait for my first flight one day.

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Bugs
http://www.supercubproject.com

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Tue April 25, 2006 1:37pm

Cubus Maximus

Registered: March 2002
Posts: 1,049

Bugs, if you would spend less time on the 'puter and more in the shop this will happen sooner

I haven't flown it yet (might tonight) so I'm relying on Andy's impressions. He said it was somewhat right wing heavy and that they've already fixed this with a few turns on the right rear lift strut. It is a bit nose heavy when solo but that's no problem and I'd rather have it that way so you can load gear in the back. Tail comes up almost instantly, (must be the Thrustline mod)and generally the airplane flies nicely. Does need the flap gap seal though, Craig will get some from Steve. Initially it's seeing 110 mph at 2400 but I'll check that out when I get a shot at it.
Don't stand on the brakes too hard as the Groves are strong enough to put you on your nose easily.

Tue April 25, 2006 3:46pm

Bugs66

Registered: February 2004
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 2,005

Ha, ha! Funny! I am - I am!
I haven't figured out whose plane Viking Cub is. Is it yours? Was Andy a test pilot? Sorry If I sound dumb. Anyway, awesome Cub!

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Bugs
http://www.supercubproject.com

Tue April 25, 2006 4:17pm

Cubus Maximus

Registered: March 2002
Posts: 1,049

Less typing, more taping Bugs! - No no, The Viking / Mac / Smith Cub is owned by Craig. I just got to take pictures of the process and do general grunt work (anybody need rib stitching or riveting done? I work cheap..) Andy is the test pilot, chief mechanic - AP/IA, critic, assigner of unsavory tasks and head bottle washer. (Andy has a glow about him that only airplanes can see. When he walks into a hangar where some recalcitrant flying machine is making trouble for its owner, the thing usually grovels before him, kisses his feet and promises to be good from now on.)

Tue April 25, 2006 7:56pm

supilot

Registered: September 2003
Posts: 384

awesome...any performance numbers yet?

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-Ben

Wed April 26, 2006 1:09pm

Cubus Maximus

Registered: March 2002
Posts: 1,049

Got a chance to fly it last night. WHOO-HOO!! At any rate, I think the numbers I gave earlier are off. I think it's more like 100 mph at 2400 and 105 mph at 2500. I haven't done an accurate run yet though so we'll see. (more just getting used to how it feels) Okay, I think it needs VG's with the extended wing to give it a bit more precise feel. It's okay now but you can definately tell it's an extended wing. Even with the ailerons outboard it's slower to respond. (and it has that same long wing wallow I've felt in a few other long wing Cubs) It flies almost hands off now with the tweak and you don't have to move the trim much though I can move it a bit further forward as fuel burns off. The Dynon seems a bit off airspeed wise. I think it reads about 7-10 mph high. Need to get some flap gap seals on the the flaps!! We'll also have to re-adjust the flap handle. I don't like how far you have to get it back to engage the last notch. This 180 and Pawnee prop combo is exceptionally smooth (dynafocal mount)and she just feels great. So far I am NOT a fan of the die spring gear. I did a bunch a landings and the other long gear, long wing, 31 inch Bush Wheel Cub on the field feels a lot less sproingy with it's bunge gear. I think the AOSS is in order here. Mark, Craig said you called last night and I must say, it sure feels different from a stock Cub with its Thrustline mod. I have to get used to the sight picture and also the stall in landing is different. I like how fast the tail comes up and initial climb rate! It also seems easier to tail low wheel land the thing but it's going to take some getting used to. So all in all, what a blast to fly! (I LOVE the visibility the L-21 glass gives. Hard to beat the view and a stock Cub seems like a cave in comparison.)

Thu April 27, 2006 1:27pm

AkPA/18

Registered: February 2003
Location: Big Lake Ak
Posts: 576

Hey Brad----didn't see ya down here! Thanks for the initial reports. Sure looks good in the pics. Those speeds are pretty good with the extended wings and 31's. The tail is coming up partly because of that power and prop combo---also that Craig did a good job of setting his elevator travel. The TL mod won't help bring the tail up. Actually the more the engine is pointed down the easier it is for the tail to come up as the prop is pulling down on the nose. Looking fwd to more reports.

Thanks

Mark

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http://thrustline.com/

Takeoffs are optional--Landings are mandatory

Tue May 2, 2006 1:52pm

Cubus Maximus

Registered: March 2002
Posts: 1,049

Mark, flew it again last evening during a break between storms and am starting to get the different feel dialed in. I'm getting in and out pretty short now and it's becoming even more fun/comfortable to fly. I like it! Never touched the trim the whole time.

Also opened up the left door at 82 mph indicated. It hung in there just fine. I think we need to add a handle though to make it easier to close. I haven't tried the right door yet.
Brad

Tue May 9, 2006 1:58am

AkPA/18

Registered: February 2003
Location: Big Lake Ak
Posts: 576

Heck Brad---keep missing you down here. Thanks again for another report. Sounding better all the time!!! Cool pics.

Mark

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http://thrustline.com/

Takeoffs are optional--Landings are mandatory