First Flight of Eric's Patrol N316BP

[DRLPatrol]

Thanks for the report. Any ideas on having to put 50 lbs. in the back to get close to spec speeds? Elevator travel? Angle of incidence, wing and horizontal stab? I went back to your website and reread your W&B, looks good. BTW what do you weigh, I'm 240 but with the pilot seat at 10" that's not going to effect much. Hopefully just a few tweaks in the test flying stage.
Doug

Edit:
After second thought on W&B, your empty CG is 12.88 so with the pilot a 10" a heavier pilot will make it slightly worse, but not by much. I put my 240 lbs. in your W&B and moved the CG about half an inch forward.

[Enewton57]

I weigh about 260 at this point in my life. When I was doing the stall testing I had about 150 lbs of fuel. My Patrol is lighter than most so I am sure that affects it.

When I was telling Bob about the non-stall issue, he asked me to look at the elevator when at cruise speed to see how it aligned with the Horizontal Stabilizer. When I checked that, the leading edge of the elevator counterweight area was about 1/4" below than the leading edge of the Horizontal Stab. Bob said that's just about right at the forward CG that I was flying at when alone and empty. He said it should align perfectly when I carry a passenger or something else in the back so the HS angle is just right. So that was when he said to try adding a little weight in the back and try it again.

The wing is just very effective and when your Patrol is as light as mine and has a forward CG, it won't stall very easily. However, a small amount of weight in the baggage compartment (probably equal to my tools, spare parts and tie-downs) moves the CG back a little and she stalls just fine.

[DRLPatrol]

Thanks for the info. Was just surprised at your results. Is this normal for other Patrols, having to put weight in the rear to get it to slow down?

Doug

[Enewton57]

I doubt its normal. Most Patrols are heavier than mine. Most Patrols have a more aft CG than mine. I don't look at it like its a negative at all since I will be carrying around that much in the baggage compartment anyway.

Bob said that if people are going to build as light as mine, you could move the engine back a bit, or go with a lighter wooden or composite propeller. Every Patrol is going to be a little different depending on builder choices.

[DRLPatrol]

Great job on the light weight. I guess when the weight is not bolted in (tool bag) it gives you options.

Doug

[aerolite]

Hey Eric,
Congrats on getting airborne! I missed your first post on this, glad all is working out fine.
Steve