Tri Eagle has flown

[bill utt]

Well guys, 7/5/2014 the taxi test became a surprise as the bird literally jumped off the runway at 45 mph. Set her back down with no issues.
Maybe 8-10 feet in the air.
A little later we were about 30-40 feet in the air and all felt good. Started backing off the power and it was settling nicely but off to the side of the runway center slightly, so I corrected a little. She touched down OK but with some side load on the right gear. station # 3 cross tube buckled and the lower longeron followed.
The gear did not bend and all welds held tight. No prop strike nor wing strike. In fact, was able to roll it back to the hanger on it's on gear, just sat funny.
Though I built up the gear area, the test proved that it was not good enough! LOL. Soon to be corrected!
I probably should not divulge this bit of info, and you should not try this at home! but what the heck, After all these years around A/C, my first Solo was 7/5/14 in an unproven,one of a kind home-built! Blessed Again!
Once I can figure how to upload the video of the phone, I'll post it.
Hope your Fourth was a good one.
Spencer, I flew the damn thing!!! :-)

[Steve]

A roll away is always bueno . . . Slow flight where the stall speed has yet to be established is no bueno... How much tire pressure were you carrying in the mains?...

[bill utt]

Had about 10 psi. The engineer just flat missed the load limits. TADA!

[Tom H]

Good deal, Utt.  After hearing of your life racing motorcycles, this was just a normal way of doing business for you.

One of our guys did the second flight of Stubby about like that, but he decided to go ahead and take off.  A gust hit and lifted him during a taxi run.  But, he had a lifetime of flying behind him, so no big deal.

Now you can add some more weight with reinforcements.

Next one will be better controlled - you have a feel for it now - we hope.

[s johnson]

Bill

Way to go Utt ...... Another eagle airborne. Bet you'll have her ready again soon. I was down your way last week and almost called you up. Maybe next time.

Scott J.

[bill utt]

Thanks guys, seems no matter how one gets an education, it costs something. 
Scott, give a call when in the area. You are always welcome
Bill.

[bill utt]

I can't help but laugh every time I hear my friend at the end.

[rockiedog2]

pretty good
i see why the gear gave

[bill utt]

Yeah, good test. That mounting point was also carrying all the weight of the wing through the struts. I missed that additional weight there and the side loads.
Kinda like the early Cessna 150 main gear boxes. they didn't fair well with side loads either.

[Bob S.]

God, looks like it is tail-heavy! The tail never came up!!!
You sure you did a W&B???

[rockiedog2]

yeah and it dropped in on one...thats what gets em. all the load on one gear. happened to mine a couple x can honestly say i didnt do it.

 it was pretty ugly Utt...you thought about gettin some dual? youve already used up a lotta your lives on those harleys

did it torque your wing when it caved the longeron in?

[bill utt]

Yes, did w/b four times. Actually was a bit nose heavy. Sitting in it ,the nose did come down,I just pulled to much throttle to soon.
Wing struts both tie in at that lower mount. wing appears to have rotated at top mounts. will receive very close scrutiny.
Yes, going to get some time in a champ. Ercoupe has ruined me!
Yes ugly is the word! Looking back on it, reminds me of my first lock to lock high speed wobble on a full dresser at 85+. What a ride!
I have to wonder how many Angels have transferred after doing time with me.
SkyPup is coming along nicely.
This site is the best.
I wonder how Wilbur felt? Bet I got close.

[rockiedog2]

.
Yes, going to get some time in a champ. Ercoupe has ruined me!
Yes ugly is the word! Looking back on it, reminds me of my first lock to lock high speed wobble on a full dresser at 85+.

champ is perfect
i had a tank slapper doing about ohhh...45 i guess. high sided. near killed me. was in the OR 2+45. doc said no riding for 3 months. 3 months was up and i asked him if i could ride now and he wanted to know if i was gonna ride dirt bikes...naw just on the street. oh yeah thats ok just take it easy. so i loaded Ellen up and left 2 days later and rode double to fairbanks and back.
that bike has a scott's shimmy damper on it now. like closing the gate after the hawg got out.
hope your wang is ok

[Bob S.]

rut-ro....

[Rich Snyder]

that bike has a scott's shimmy damper on it now. like closing the gate after the hawg got out. hope your wang is ok 

You got a Wang computer in that thing?  Hope you have the helmet this guy has. He even got a desk to taxi around the office! Play the video. Don't know how to do the self play thing.  Rich