Phenix5
Junior Member
Here is a link of our progress with our prototype.
YouTube - Phenix latest flight !
We've been quite busy the past weeks, flying and making adjustments that never seem to end! But I guess that's what prototypes are for...
So far, we have finally managed to achieve proper settings in most of the parameters. It has been necessary to reposition both the water and oil coolers for a better temperature control.
The hydraulic prerotator is working great. It's simple to use (just press a button) and speeds up very quickly. We are not pushing it too far but we are releasing brakes at around 230 rpm and that takes 18 seconds since first engagement.
One major mod has been the removal of the complete central fin and rudder since we have proved it to be totally redundant. It even had a little negative influence in the handling of the gyro, making it too stable in the longitudinal axis. Now it feels like a gyro, before it was more like a fixed wing. In order to prevent the rudders accidentally hitting the ground (on a steep aproach) we have installed a provisional tail skid.
We are currently building a new fuselage where we will incorporate all the changes to have a more definitive model in the air as soon as possible. I will forward the new details further on.
Now we are flying almost everyday so this is good for the necessary feedback we need to achieve a final production model. Will keep you informed.
Carlos
YouTube - Phenix latest flight !
We've been quite busy the past weeks, flying and making adjustments that never seem to end! But I guess that's what prototypes are for...
So far, we have finally managed to achieve proper settings in most of the parameters. It has been necessary to reposition both the water and oil coolers for a better temperature control.
The hydraulic prerotator is working great. It's simple to use (just press a button) and speeds up very quickly. We are not pushing it too far but we are releasing brakes at around 230 rpm and that takes 18 seconds since first engagement.
One major mod has been the removal of the complete central fin and rudder since we have proved it to be totally redundant. It even had a little negative influence in the handling of the gyro, making it too stable in the longitudinal axis. Now it feels like a gyro, before it was more like a fixed wing. In order to prevent the rudders accidentally hitting the ground (on a steep aproach) we have installed a provisional tail skid.
We are currently building a new fuselage where we will incorporate all the changes to have a more definitive model in the air as soon as possible. I will forward the new details further on.
Now we are flying almost everyday so this is good for the necessary feedback we need to achieve a final production model. Will keep you informed.
Carlos