Bdflies

Bill;

I just read your post about Props on a Husky. What prop you installed on your Patrol?

Thanks, loved the fifteen year experience, and it's a great design. Natural float plane, its pitchy, but you get used to it.

Bill, WOW, didn't realize you were so close to first flight. I'm excited for you!! Frustrating knowing you could, but Can't. We are there now with the WX.

Here is what I have--24/24 @ 7000 155 MPH TAS and @ 3500 141 MPH indicated. At 69% power-138 MPH indicated @ 3500. At 23/23 @ 5000 148 MPH TAS. Stall @ 3500 ft 42MPH indicated, no flaps. was extremely gentle and due to a slight roll issue it fell off to the right a bit. ( these #'s are a combination of mine and Dennis' ) They could change slightly once rigging is complete. Were close, but it appears we might need a rudder tab for trim. The vertical offset seems to be greater than necessary and we have been pulling the back half over with the wires and that has helped a lot. Our flights are mostly at 75% power for break in, so we haven't explored slow flight much. Take off performance is awesome with the whirlwind prop and I'm getting 12 to 1500 fpm in climb out with 85 to 90 indicated and that's not full power most times. I'm not one to throw in all the power quickly, at least until I get some time on this engine.

Another huge issue is the flaps, I can't use them past two notches. I did manage 3 twice, but at 55 indicated and wallowing around low and slow on final, trying to trim so i can take my hand off the stick for two hands on the flap, well you get the picture--not good. Anyway it was a nice and short landing around 3 to 400 ft. We've extended the flap handle as much as we could for room, 3 in., but I've only had one flight since and didn't get the plane slowed enough on the first landing and the 2nd one back home was basically an emergency flight due to a battery issue. I was loosing it and my Skyview was threatening to quit so I just wanted on the ground ASAP. ( Lady DY pretty much yelled at me the whole flight home and a big red line across the screen said "AIRCRAFT POWER LOSS". ) We have dual P-mags, so the engine will run without battery, but only above a certain RPM, which is about 900 on the ground. As long as your inflight idle is above that your OK. Shame on me, I haven't tested that yet, thinking not having my battery would ever be an issue. In 28 yrs of flying, it never has. Anyway, four notches is an impossibility for me I'm afraid and I'm really disappointed in that fact. I'll never be able to get full use of the plane, but I didn't have any before so 3 will do. My point is the landing roll should be really short for those of you who can get the 4th notch. The rest of us are going to have to practice with 3.

Mark asked us once for as many photos as we had of the project, they were trying to put together a better build manual. I told him careful what you ask for and sent him about 3000 photo's. I tried to keep this a short as possible, so sorry if it's too much of not what your looking for. Because of the battery issue, just happened yesterday, I am grounded until I figure out what went wrong. We have 12 hours on the engine and I think not too many more and I'll get serious about exploring all she can do. The moral to this story is you can tell your friends it's an awesome little bird that really preforms. In my opinion it was well worth the time and $$ spent. Donna

Just how did you accomplish the smooth tape? small short pieces?

Greetings Bill;

We met at Oshkosh this year at the Bearhawk Dinner. I read your post regarding the Keller Flap, and sw that you have quite a bit of experience in a Huskey.

Because you sold a Huskey to build a Patrol, I am curious on some specifics on how you think the Patrol will compare with a Huskey's performance, and if you are doing anything special during the build to enhance it. I know you are considering the Keller Flap in the future. But right now, during the build, what are you incorporating?


Brooks Cone

Bill,

That would help, but as you mentioned, not what I was looking for.

Steve

Well I just ordered the single piston (2" calper) Groves. Sorry, bet somebody else will need them.