February 12, 2021 completed first flight for another Mackey Cub, N90AK. It started as a wide body Cub with Javaron wings and part way through the project I met Wayne and he gave some good suggestions and ultimately essential help to morph the cub into a monster. The wide body fuselage was cut at the aft fittings and 2 more feet welded on, full box(no gingerbread ) large electric trim motor for the stabilalator and large tail feathers to help balance out for the Lycoming YIO-390 and Wayne's up sized cowling to fit the big motor up front. It has 8" extended cub gear with Black Ops shocks on the front and the Black Ops Stinger on the tail, Whirlwind ground adjustable 3 blade composite prop, 3rd seat with huge extended baggage and baggage door. Wayne had some spare SQ 2 ailerons so those went on, Keller 3 hanger flaps and Backcountry slats for the leading edge. More to come as I work out the performance parameters after engine break in.
First Flight N90AK, the Monster Cub takes off
- Thread starter Litecub
- Start date
With 35" Alaskan Bushwheels and the bigger cargo pod it is 1,355 pounds. On the skis as configured in the picture 1,335 pounds. It has does Javaron oversize tail feathers. I gave it a 2,200 pound gross weight as had to transition the aileron cables through the rear spar which I reinforced with .090" doublers riveted as well as the brackets for pulleys so not any higher gross weight.
After first flight I had to move an oil cooler line and get a couple of the probes to register so will fly again tomorrow and see what's next to fix. It has put a smile on my face, my father-in-law, George Pappas was out during the first flight and a friend who was visiting with him heard him say after 45 minutes of flying they were going to have to shoot me down to get me back on the ground.:lol:
skywagon8a
MEMBER
SE Mass MA6
There's a name from the past. I met George 40 years ago. A very clever fellow. He is one who knew how to wrap the FAA around his little finger.
So great to hear another Alaska aviation legend is still with us and hanging around the airport. Growing up on Merrill Field in the 70’s allowed me to meet many of these men.
George drove over in his Tesla to upload the latest update and had to wait for 45 minutes for the system to reboot so got to see the first flight We both were commiserating about computers later as I put an EFIS in this Cub and have the same problems. I would not do the EFIS again.
Dan Gervae
FRIEND
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Congrats on the completion of your Cub....It's a beaut. What EFIS did you put in it? Give us a nice PIREP once you get some hours on it!
akavidflyer
FRIEND
Soldotna AK
I dummied up with the G5 install on mine and couldn't figure out why the magnetometer wouldn't work. They should put different ends on so you cant plug into the instrument without have the terminator on it for those of us who hate to read the instructions and look at pics closely. Had to call a buddy who tried his best to not make me feel too stupid to figure it out.
The panel is powder coated in sections so can remove portions to access behind. I used the MGL Challenger Lite EFIS, their recommended probes and support boxes. Will get the Stratus and WiFi connect to the iPad mini running ForeFlight to get some traffic. Still staying close to home and on skis so feel very comfortable buzzing around the Meadow Lakes area while the engine gets broken in. As I get more experience with it will report how it performs. So far when it slows down it is a rudder controlled plane.
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Full fuel, myself and 100 pounds in rear seat gives CG at 15.5" aft of leading edge. I have 2 hours in 2 flights so little to reference but it does fly well at this loading with heavier feel to the controls than a stock cub. My tail is light at 62 pounds when level and empty so that is why I have 100 pounds in the back for initial flights.
Kodiakmack
Registered User
winters in Utah, Summers in Idaho
What iPad mount is that?
The iPad holder is a RAM mount that is made for an iPad in a protector so thicker slots. It retains the iPad with a spring that pulls down the top portion or the iPad. It works well and I have a second one I use in two other planes retained with a RAM ball and their clamps.
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Kodiakmack
Registered User
winters in Utah, Summers in Idaho
Thanks! That’s awesome. Any issue do you know with putting that on a certified AC panel?
Dan Gervae
FRIEND
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Its just a piece of plastic screwed to your panel , should be no issue....I have basically the same mount in my build....I'm Experimental, but i believe my statement still holds
Well the cylinders have broken in with the CHT initially running 320 degrees to a peak at full power climb of 340 degrees. On the third flight all cylinders dropped to below 300 and I cut the flight short as the oil temperature was running 130 degrees and it dropped to 115 degrees while keeping power above 65%. I needed to get the engine to run warmer so used duct tape to block air inlet as a test similar to what has worked for me on my other aircraft with cold temperatures.
With the cylinders blocked off much happier with these temperatures and next flight will have some aluminum winter fronts on and uncover the oil cooler to see how the engine likes the inlet airflow. My preference would be to block or restrict the outflow with cowl flaps but that would be a major undertaking with my current cowling.
With the cylinders blocked off much happier with these temperatures and next flight will have some aluminum winter fronts on and uncover the oil cooler to see how the engine likes the inlet airflow. My preference would be to block or restrict the outflow with cowl flaps but that would be a major undertaking with my current cowling.
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Kodiakmack
Registered User
winters in Utah, Summers in Idaho
I want to find out the why for sure, but my IA implied that screwing something into the panel could be considered installing. We will go with that for now and will use 3M dual lock. We’ve used it in other settings and it is rock solid. If it’s bumpy enough to remove my iPad mounted with dual lock I’m having bigger problems lol.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Dual-Lock...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Dual-Lock...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
I want to find out the why for sure, but my IA implied that screwing something into the panel could be considered installing. We will go with that for now and will use 3M dual lock. We’ve used it in other settings and it is rock solid. If it’s bumpy enough to remove my iPad mounted with dual lock I’m having bigger problems lol.
This is the RAM mount set up in the stock Cub. Charger cord to iPad and also runs out to “temporary mount” on access panel for GoPro camera.
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This is the beauty of having a properly instrumented engine. Especially in an experimental setting with new engine/cowling/fuel systems. I remember seeing one custom build advertised that needed new cylinders in under 100 hrs if I remember correctly. Having a good grasp on how the engine is performing the first 5 hours is priceless. Great job!!
DENNY
Will show some panel pictures of the EFIS screen to answer your question. Currently still roaring around the valley at 9 to 12 gph breaking the engine in, changing engine rpms and mixture frequently. The prop is set course pitch and I don’t get full rpm redline of 2,700 in level flight and only 2375 on liftoff. It does get off quick about 3 seconds and 52 yards the one time I paced the tracks in the snow.
