[VNulk]

Hi Folks,

After finally getting the 1/4 scale Roland ready for flight, or so I thought, the first attempt ended abruptly as it turned out to be too tail heavy to continue. I managed to bring it down and as it pancaked into the corn on the edge of the field, it sustained surprisingly little damage. One lower wing tip and the starboard horizontal fin were impacted.

I completed the repairs and added nose weight to the point that it really looked much better for balance but today during practice taxis, would nose over much too easily. I decided that if I could get it in the air, that I'd worry about handling on the ground later. Take off role was predictable and as soon as I had near flying speed, I switched to low rate on the elevator as I needed a lot of up elevator to prevent nose over again. The rest of the lift off was graceful and even but once I got it up about 150 feet and turned around, I found myself unable to keep it level and it began a slow sink back to the corn, not having the time or instincts to switch the elevator back to high rate. More up elevator might have saved the plane then but I'm thinking that it still might have been a bear to fly. It chopped through the corn stalks, which helped to minimize the impact but but still the wing and rigging damage was substantial.

Discussing the flight with friends afterwards we're thinking that the plane was either too heavy or engine not generating enough thrust for the configuration. Either way, I'm convinced that the scale construction of the fuse produced a frame that was overweight to begin with and that the weight needed to balance just added to the problem.

I'm also disappointed to say that my videographer, we'll call S., was, in the end, too challenged by the record/pause button on the camera and I have but 1 1/2 seconds of the last flight of the plane as this time the corn won big time and all wings panels are damaged beyond my wanting to rebuild them. The rugged Roland fuse, noted for it's durability, was undamaged and is ready for another set of wings, but unfortunately, is the part that needs to be redesigned. Only time will tell if I start out again on this A/C.

I want to thank all that have supported me and taken an interest in the progress for several years and provided assistance and encouragement. This forum is great for that!

The plane won't make Rhinebeck but we will and look forward to seeing many other projects that I've followed here at the forum. There are a lot of incredibly talented builders out there and you're all doing a great job.

See you all at the field!

Vern