Matronics Email Lists :: View topic

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Balanced Aircraft

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kolb-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

Dennis.Kirby(at)kirtland.
Guest

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:44 am Post subject: Balanced Aircraft

Kolb Friends –  

   

I have an very pleasing flight experience to share:  For the first time since my Mark-III’s first flight in 2002, it flew hands-off level, for as long as I wished!  

   

Yesterday, on an early morning local flight, the air was cool and beautifully calm in central New Mexico.  I had a friend (an adult) along for the ride.  Once I was at altitude, throttled back and trimmed, I was amazed when I let go of the control stick to see that the Magic Bike just hummed along straight and level, with no tendency to drop a wing or change pitch.  This had never happened before.  

   

In the past, my Kolb would always drift off to the left.  Even after installing the JohnHauck-bungee-around-the-control-stick fix, it would still drift off (although noticeably less), because now it was out of yaw trim a bit.  I installed the adjustable wing root U-joint bracket from TNK, and this helped some more, and I attached a rudder trim tab also.  But even after all these fixes, the aircraft would still want to diverge after a few seconds of hands-off flight.  I had come to simply accept this.  

   

I attribute yesterday’s perfect balance to the fact that this was the first time I had flown with all the trim fixes, AND an adult passenger.  (Over the past couple of years, my only passengers have been my children, who are still small.)  

   

Nice to know all those trim-balance fixes are really (finally) working!  Am continuing to enjoy the simplicity and functional genius of Homer’s design!  

   

Dennis Kirby  

Mark-III, 912ul, Powerfin-72  

Sandia Park, NM  

do not archive  

      [quote][b]

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

slyck(at)frontiernet.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:58 am Post subject: Balanced Aircraft

Dennis, what you are saying is now you are stuck with a passenger.  I hope she's a cutie.  :)BB

do not archive



On 13, Aug 2010, at 2:44 PM, Kirby, Dennis Civ USAF AFMC AFNWC/EN wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Kolb Friends –

 

I have an very pleasing flight experience to share:  For the first time since my Mark-III’s first flight in 2002, it flew hands-off level, for as long as I wished!

 

Yesterday, on an early morning local flight, the air was cool and beautifully calm in central New Mexico.  I had a friend (an adult) along for the ride.  Once I was at altitude, throttled back and trimmed, I was amazed when I let go of the control stick to see that the Magic Bike just hummed along straight and level, with no tendency to drop a wing or change pitch.  This had never happened before.

 

In the past, my Kolb would always drift off to the left.  Even after installing the JohnHauck-bungee-around-the-control-stick fix, it would still drift off (although noticeably less), because now it was out of yaw trim a bit.  I installed the adjustable wing root U-joint bracket from TNK, and this helped some more, and I attached a rudder trim tab also.  But even after all these fixes, the aircraft would still want to diverge after a few seconds of hands-off flight.  I had come to simply accept this.

 

I attribute yesterday’s perfect balance to the fact that this was the first time I had flown with all the trim fixes, AND an adult passenger.  (Over the past couple of years, my only passengers have been my children, who are still small.)

 

Nice to know all those trim-balance fixes are really (finally) working!  Am continuing to enjoy the simplicity and functional genius of Homer’s design!

 

Dennis Kirby

Mark-III, 912ul, Powerfin-72

Sandia Park, NM

do not archive



 	  Quote: 	
		  



style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://forums.matronics.com

style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	


	


 [quote][b]

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

russkinne(at)mac.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 12:41 pm Post subject: Balanced Aircraft

DennisCongratulations! Glad all your hard work has paid off.

But I'm  curious. Any dihedral?

Russ K

do not archive



On Aug 13, 2010, at 2:44 PM, Kirby, Dennis Civ USAF AFMC AFNWC/EN wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Kolb Friends –

 

I have an very pleasing flight experience to share:  For the first time since my Mark-III’s first flight in 2002, it flew hands-off level, for as long as I wished!

 

Yesterday, on an early morning local flight, the air was cool and beautifully calm in central New Mexico.  I had a friend (an adult) along for the ride.  Once I was at altitude, throttled back and trimmed, I was amazed when I let go of the control stick to see that the Magic Bike just hummed along straight and level, with no tendency to drop a wing or change pitch.  This had never happened before.

 

In the past, my Kolb would always drift off to the left.  Even after installing the JohnHauck-bungee-around-the-control-stick fix, it would still drift off (although noticeably less), because now it was out of yaw trim a bit.  I installed the adjustable wing root U-joint bracket from TNK, and this helped some more, and I attached a rudder trim tab also.  But even after all these fixes, the aircraft would still want to diverge after a few seconds of hands-off flight.  I had come to simply accept this.

 

I attribute yesterday’s perfect balance to the fact that this was the first time I had flown with all the trim fixes, AND an adult passenger.  (Over the past couple of years, my only passengers have been my children, who are still small.)

 

Nice to know all those trim-balance fixes are really (finally) working!  Am continuing to enjoy the simplicity and functional genius of Homer’s design!

 

Dennis Kirby

Mark-III, 912ul, Powerfin-72

Sandia Park, NM

do not archive



 	  Quote: 	
		  



style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://forums.matronics.com

style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

rickofudall

Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Posts: 1392
Location: Udall, KS, USA

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:22 pm Post subject: Balanced Aircraft

Dang, I am jealous now. Zulu Delta hunts for level and would just as soon

dive as climb. Clearly I have more work to do.

Dennis, I think we should plan a meeting somewhere along the old Route 66

for sometime next spring, say Guymon, OK or Dalhart, TX. That would be about

midway between you and me. We could swap some lies and have pop, diet of

course, a girl's got to watch her weight, after all, and compare Mk III's.

What do you think?



Rick



On Fri, Aug 13, 2010 at 3:40 PM, russ kinne <russkinne(at)mac.com> wrote:



[quote] Dennis

 Congratulations! Glad all your hard work has paid off.

 But I'm  curious. Any dihedral?

 Russ K

 do not archive

 On Aug 13, 2010, at 2:44 PM, Kirby, Dennis Civ USAF AFMC AFNWC/EN wrote:



 Kolb Friends –



 I have an very pleasing flight experience to share:  For the first time

 since my Mark-III’s first flight in 2002, it flew hands-off level, for as

 long as I wished!



 Yesterday, on an early morning local flight, the air was cool and

 beautifully calm in central New Mexico.  I had a friend (an adult) along for

 the ride.  Once I was at altitude, throttled back and trimmed, I was amazed

 when I let go of the control stick to see that the Magic Bike just hummed

 along straight and level, with no tendency to drop a wing or change pitch

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

_________________
The smallest miracle right in front of you is enough to make you happy....

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject: Balanced Aircraft

Rick G/Gang:

  

 The pitch "sweet spot" can be found by  experimenting with the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizers.

  

 My MKIII, if adjusted up or down from its present  position, feels like it is riding on a ball, falling off the nose or tail, but  never settling down.  At its present position, it is nice and stable in  pitch.

  

 James Tripp called me a couple days ago.  He  was elated.  He has about 10 or 12 hours on his "hauck" MKIII (same mods as  mine).  I had suggested that he change the leading edge of the horizontal  down a couple notches.  He had done that and just landed from his test  flight.  The sensation of trying to balance on a ball was gone.  His  MKIII had settled down.

  

 john h

 mkIII

  

  

 [quote]    

Dang, I am jealous now. Zulu Delta    hunts for level and would just as soon dive as climb. Clearly I have more work    to do.     



   Rick



    



[b]

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

rickofudall

Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Posts: 1392
Location: Udall, KS, USA

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 7:26 pm Post subject: Balanced Aircraft

John, Thanks for the info. I'm about to tear the covering off Zulu Delta's tail surfaces and recover to get rid of all that slobbered on Aerothane done by the previous owner. Then I'll begin working on stability issues anew. 



Rick



On Fri, Aug 13, 2010 at 7:13 PM, John Hauck <jhauck(at)elmore.rr.com (jhauck(at)elmore.rr.com)> wrote:

[quote]        Rick G/Gang:

  

 The pitch "sweet spot" can be found by  experimenting with the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizers.

  

 My MKIII, if adjusted up or down from its present  position, feels like it is riding on a ball, falling off the nose or tail, but  never settling down.  At its present position, it is nice and stable in  pitch.

  

 James Tripp called me a couple days ago.  He  was elated.  He has about 10 or 12 hours on his "hauck" MKIII (same mods as  mine).  I had suggested that he change the leading edge of the horizontal  down a couple notches.  He had done that and just landed from his test  flight.  The sensation of trying to balance on a ball was gone.  His  MKIII had settled down.

  

 john h

 mkIII

  

  

  	  Quote: 	
		      

Dang, I am jealous now. Zulu Delta    hunts for level and would just as soon dive as climb. Clearly I have more work    to do.     



   

Rick



    







get="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

===========

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	


[b]

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

_________________
The smallest miracle right in front of you is enough to make you happy....

Dennis.Kirby(at)kirtland.
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 6:48 am Post subject: Balanced Aircraft

<< Dennis, what you are saying is now you are stuck with a passenger.  I hope she's a cutie. BB >>  

   

Bob – my passenger was actually a grizzled older-than-me fellow who flies a weight-shift trike at my airport.  He just bought a beautiful, low-time Firestar II, from Idaho.  I took him up to give him some familiarity in the feel & handling of a Kolb.  Still trying to talk my wife into flying with me some day.  Flying is not exactly her passion, unfortunately.  But a cutie she is indeed!  

   

   

<< Any dihedral?  Russ K >>  

   

Russ – I built my Mark-3 with about 3 degrees of dihedral, even tho’ it was not called for in the plans.  If doing this traded off a bit of “snappiness” in roll handling for improved stability, it is not noticeable to me!  

   

   

<< Zulu Delta hunts for level and would just as soon dive as climb. Clearly I have more work to do. Rick G >>  

   

Rick – I’ve decided that my Mark-3 definitely flies more stable with a passenger.  The stock pitch trim system seems to work well.  But I believe the most improvement for my roll-diverging tendency came from installing the U-joint adjustment bracket from TNK.  I had been flying my Kolb for years before realizing that one wing had a slightly greater angle of incidence than the other.  (Duh …)  The bracket fixed that.  

   

   

Dennis K.  

Do not archive  

      [quote][b]

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

jbhart(at)onlyinternet.ne
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:04 am Post subject: Balanced Aircraft

 	  Quote: 	
		  

Rick  I've decided that my Mark-3 definitely flies more stable with a 
	


passenger.  The stock pitch trim system seems to work well.  But I believe 

the most improvement for my roll-diverging tendency came from installing the 

U-joint adjustment bracket from TNK.  I had been flying my Kolb for years 

before realizing that one wing had a slightly greater angle of incidence 

than the other.  (Duh &)  The bracket fixed that.

 	  Quote: 	
		  


	


Dennis,



You or who ever built it may have done a good job with perfect symmetry.  

Gliders are easier to balance out as they do not have to contend with a 

propeller torque reaction.  But as soon as you hang on an engine and 

propeller to the air frame one has to counter act propeller torque.



How does your plane balance out at best glide speed, with the engine at 

idle?



Jack B. Hart FF004

Winchester, IN

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kolb-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum