A little progress XL H-58

[Chuck in Indiana]

Around the patch at sunset last night. My little $75 camera did ok.. I had it in it's waterproof case, though, and I *think* it was rattling around in it a bit. It does have a remote microphone.. I'll try that the next time. And.. maybe a better camera mount.
The dragging brake sounds worse than it was, fixed that today.   

[Tom H]

Nice flight, Chuck.  I flew Treehugger (LE w/ Verner 3VW) yesterday.  Sun was nice, but air was cold and very windy, so made it a short flight.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Nice flight, Chuck.  I flew Treehugger (LE w/ Verner 3VW) yesterday.  Sun was nice, but air was cold and very windy, so made it a short flight.

Yeah, sometimes a short flight is about all the fun you can stand.  It's supposed to be warmer today, but we have a direct crosswind. 
I'm having a good time with this little booger, though. It's more fun than I expected, especially with the Verner.

[Dan_]

A beautiful place to fly, and a beautiful plane to fly in it..!  Thanks for the videos!

[Chuck in Indiana]

The only "real" issue I've had with this bird is aileron responsiveness. Breakout force is relatively high compared to the rudder and elevator. I've felt like a witch stirring her cauldron trying to stay level in turbulence. 
So.
I never like to fool with things..especially primary controls..without considerable thought. Yes, I'm used to airplanes that respond instantly like the Pitts and Sonerai. Comma but. I made a simple plate that bolts to the aileron control arm and added 1 inch of length, thinking I could easily go back to the original if I didn't like it.

There is some weather coming in, and it was windy (9-15 knots) and lightly turbulent this morning.
I won't be going back.
I'm certainly not saying it needs to be done, just food for thought.

[Tom XL-7]

you are getting more control surface movement for a given stick movement let us know how it works out. Do you think more aileron surface could work, as in full span?

[Kamcoman77]

Seems like I read somewhere that Joe Spencer made several wingtip end plates for Putt Putt and said the aileron responsiveness was best with the plates that hung below the wing surface and not above. See video "Putt Putt Up Close and Personal" on YouTube.

[Chuck in Indiana]

you are getting more control surface movement for a given stick movement let us know how it works out. Do you think more aileron surface could work, as in full span?

I would think so, but that would involve some thinking.  This is simple, and on a trip around the patch seemed to be an improvement. No telling when I'll get to test it for real. The weather this year has been less than ideal..

[Chuck in Indiana]

Very nice flight this morning. Let me preface this with "Every homebuilt airplane is different." YMMV. Took my phone with an aviation app with us today to get an idea of performance because Bullet doesn't have any flight instruments except the Hall Windmeter. As I suspected, it is pretty close, actually.
Takeoff is pretty much instantaneous.  Rate of climb at 50 indicated is about 750 fpm. That is at about (TinyTach)  2250-2280 rpm. Cruise at 2050 is between 55-60. That is with about 25 lbs. of fuel and my dainty 180 lb. butt in the seat.
A truly enjoyable flight this morning..
Edit: Oh, forgot. I *like* the additional 1 inch on the aileron control arm.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Made a crush washer out of soft 1/16" aluminum today to try to cure a persistent leak at the fitting.

It came with an O ring that didn't do the job, for whatever reason..

That seems to cure it, but now it looks like it is weeping around the plastic tubing.  It's always something..
Decided to lower the front of the horizontal stab to alleviate the slight nose heaviness. I'm assuming it is because of the CG of the Verner. Naturally, the tail has to come off..

and about 20 seconds with a counterbore removed 3/16".

Two hours later it was all back together. 
The light rain had stopped, so went around the patch. It's better, but probably needs another 3/16" or so. Because of the slow speeds, (my guess) it takes a lot of change to make much difference.
We have a little over 7 hours now. This evening, we had a 10 knot direct x wind, and had no problem at all. I *like* the extra inch on the aileron control.. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Final version of the panel. While an altimeter would be *really* nice..especially during testing.. they are also really heavy. I'm using an aviation app on my phone for altitude/ROC info until I understand rpm vs. airspeed a little better.

[IflyHG]

Some might think this is excessive for an ultralight in general or the LE in particular but the Dynon D3 https://dynonavionics.com/pocket-panel.php#0 is only 8 oz.  $930 might also be more than you want to spend and the altitude and climb/sink rate are GPS based, not atmospheric based, but this would get the job done and more.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thanks for that.. but the phone does that pretty well, and I have one.
I've given up on the Tiny Tach. *Sometimes* it works fairly well, other times when there is a number on the readout it means the engine is running..
Apparently the Flight Data Systems T30 will work with the tach output of the Verner and I'll actually know what rpm the engine is running.  Then.. I can use the phone to see what rpm it takes to be in level flight at what speed.
Necessary? Naa. I really doesn't *need* flight instruments. It's a seat of the pants airplane for sure. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

This is raw footage of Mike Finney, national award winning builder, flying Bullet this morning. I was his tech counselor (ahem) many years ago with his first homebuilt.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9eVsE2MhLMM&list=PL6fCZ_CuKgMMFQqUjhEdAnbYLfMTdJdZ9