WXB0015 airborne
Posted: Thu May 11, 2023 7:29 amLast Saturday Waiex B 0015 (with rotax 912 ULS 100 hp) took to the skies for the first time. I’ve tried to download the video of it but can’t seem to get it compressed enough to attach here. I will post something on the Sonex Facebook group soon.
Anyhow, the flight went fairly well. Climbed out at 95kts and 750 fpm climb. Got to 5000 agl and levelled off as oil temps were pretty high. Prop is way too much as upon takeoff the rpm was only 4650 as i was thinking of aborting however i become airborne and accelerating. The prop really only unloaded to 4850rpm in climb and never really unloaded much until I levelled off and accelerated to 140 Kts with throttle pulled back slightly and then was at 5200 rpm ( not 100%sure it wasn’t descending but it was showing 0 fpm). Target should be somewhere between 5500 and 5800 rpm at full throttle level flight.
Did some slow flight and saw 40kts before control authority was starting to diminish so i lowered the nose again. Tried the electric flaps 1 stage at a time and at 3 out of 4 stages I was happy with how stable everything was. Then I simulated landing circuits (2) and go arounds before descending back into the pattern. Landing was a bit fast but apart from bit of float was very smooth.
Couldn’t be happier with how well the Waiex flew. I am currently modifying the duct to the oil cooler before next flight. As for being over propped, I am thinking of bigger cylinders, either Zipper or edge to get an extra 14hp which will have other benefits too.
Thanks to my Annie for helping with the build process and keeping it together through first flight ( going from video operator to potential emergency response would be challenging to say the least if required ) and to hanger neighbour Daryl for doing chase plane duties/radio help (my radio wasn’t loud enough once airborne).
Can’t wait for next flight test.
Here’s a pic of Waiex B post flight.will post a video if I ever figure out how to do it….
Anyhow, the flight went fairly well. Climbed out at 95kts and 750 fpm climb. Got to 5000 agl and levelled off as oil temps were pretty high. Prop is way too much as upon takeoff the rpm was only 4650 as i was thinking of aborting however i become airborne and accelerating. The prop really only unloaded to 4850rpm in climb and never really unloaded much until I levelled off and accelerated to 140 Kts with throttle pulled back slightly and then was at 5200 rpm ( not 100%sure it wasn’t descending but it was showing 0 fpm). Target should be somewhere between 5500 and 5800 rpm at full throttle level flight.
Did some slow flight and saw 40kts before control authority was starting to diminish so i lowered the nose again. Tried the electric flaps 1 stage at a time and at 3 out of 4 stages I was happy with how stable everything was. Then I simulated landing circuits (2) and go arounds before descending back into the pattern. Landing was a bit fast but apart from bit of float was very smooth.
Couldn’t be happier with how well the Waiex flew. I am currently modifying the duct to the oil cooler before next flight. As for being over propped, I am thinking of bigger cylinders, either Zipper or edge to get an extra 14hp which will have other benefits too.
Thanks to my Annie for helping with the build process and keeping it together through first flight ( going from video operator to potential emergency response would be challenging to say the least if required ) and to hanger neighbour Daryl for doing chase plane duties/radio help (my radio wasn’t loud enough once airborne).
Can’t wait for next flight test.
Here’s a pic of Waiex B post flight.will post a video if I ever figure out how to do it….