Another Patrol takes to the air

[Enewton57]

Don Aldridge and Hatcher Ferguson just flew their second Patrol yesterday. Don sent this message and picture:

First flight was today. Here is a shot just after landing. More to come later.

Everything worked great!
Don

Personally, I am looking forward to hearing the performance numbers on this one. They built it with a 210 HP fuel injected IO-360, custom fiberglass cowl with smooth low-drag inlets, a light-weight Whilwind constant speed Prop and they tried to keep it light. This one should be an outstanding performer, thats for sure.

[Battson]

That is going to be a STOL rocket ship.

I hope they've got some good back country areas nearby, as that's where a machine like that belongs!!!

Looks great with that cowl / colour scheme.

[Phil]

Looks awesome! Can't wait to hear more details and see some more photos.
Good job guys!

[Barry]

Keep us updated on the performance numbers! Thanks!

[Enewton57]

Here is some more info and pictures from Don:
Here are a few more pictures. We have about 3 hrs on it now, but our Manifold Pressure sender is not working, so we can't do any speed runs at a particular power setting. Hatch has flown it at 30mph indicated on the airspeed indicator, and as fast as 140 mph. He thinks it will cruise at 150. We think extending the trailing edge of the top wing skin to the flap has helped the slow speed performance. Sweet!

[DRLPatrol]

BEAUTIFUL..... Eagerly waiting W&B numbers and performance numbers. Can we get a good pix of the "extending the trailing edge of the top wing skin to the flap"

Doug

[Battson]

+1 [Can we get a good pix of the "extending the trailing edge of the top wing skin to the flap"]

I can imagine how this is done, like Cessna does it, and it seems a very easy mod if it's worthwhile.

[Enewton57]

Doug, I will see if Don will send me a picture but if you have ever taken a look at a Van's RV you will see how it works. The top wing skin basically overlaps the nose of the flap slightly. Since the top of the nose of the flap is rounded, this is possible. Here is a picture showing how I did this on my wing gap seal between the wing and fuselage. Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS http://mybearhawk.com

[DRLPatrol]

Cool, seems simple enough. Sometimes the simple things are the best.
Doug

[Phil]

Below are pictures of the RV-8 flap/wing detail and the same one for the Patrol. Looks like the RV upper skin actually touches the flap.

[X'N]

Battson,

I could see one letting it touch and use anti-chafe tape

[Phil]

My thoughts exactly, at least with a metal flap. On the patrol, with it's fabric covering and non-flush pulled rivets under it, I think we need to leave just enough gap to prevent contact.

[Battson]

Yes that would be the problem on the 4-place too - you have covers for the hinge recesses which would need cut-outs to allow more clearance.

[Enewton57]

email from Don and Hatcher: Eric, I took a few pictures of the wing skin extension that Hatch did to our plane. One of the pictures shows the same area on Bob's Patrol. We are still waiting on a fix for our manifold pressure issue. The sending unit checked out at GRT, and it is being returned today. -Don

[Phil]

Nice. Very clean looking.

[Enewton57]

I asked Don if the skip and flap rubs and here was his answer: "We see a couple of places with some minor chaffing. We are still tweaking to keep a small gap between the edge and the flap." Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS http://mybearhawk.com

[Enewton57]

That should have said "skin and flap" not "skip" Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS http://mybearhawk.com

[X'N]

It was great to see this plane first hand at Oshkosh! It was absolutely stunning! I wish now I would have taken more pictures.

[Mark Goldberg]

Does everyone know Don and Hatcher won an outstanding workmanship award for this plane last week? Even the picky judges thought this Patrol was something special. Mark

[X'N]

That's awesome! They deserve it!

[DesertBearhawk]

Excellent!