WXB0015 airborne

[Murray Parr]

Last 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….

[BRS]

Thanks for sharing.
BTW - Video are best done on youtube (or similar) then linked on the forum.

[Bryan Cotton]

Congrats Murray! Time to update your signature!

Also I agree with Brock on youtube. Many of us are not on facebook.

[GraemeSmith]

Yay!

[jowens]

Congratulations!! Thanks for the great flight summary information!!

[Murray Parr]

Thanks for sharing.
BTW - Video are best done on youtube (or similar) then linked on the forum.

.Thanks Brock. I will give that a go over the weekend. Not sure how to do all that but I usually figure it out after a few choice words start rolling around in my head...

[rk2436]

Is your prop ground adjustable? Look for about 5200-5300 static. It’s not good for the engine to be overpitched.

[Murray Parr]

Is your prop ground adjustable? Look for about 5200-5300 static. It’s not good for the engine to be overpitched.

It is the fixed pitch 64" x 81 that Sonex/Sensenich were trying out earlier. I think they now sell 60" x 82 instead. I spoke with Sensenich and they said it could be trimmed but I am not sure who I could get in Australia to do that or where to find the info to do it myself.

[13brv3]

Congrats Murray! Sounds like a pretty successful first flight. Good to see another Rotax flying.

[Sonex1517]

Congratulations on a huge accomplishment!