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I received my Airworthiness Certificate on Aug 8, 2006. My First Flight was Friday, September 1st, 2006. The little biplane jumped into the sky very quickly, no more that 300 feet of runway was used. Climb out was thrilling, and the landing was actually easy. A very docile little toy to say the least. Now that I have the first flight under my belt it is time to start performing the many flight-testing items called for in the FAA booklet on flight-testing. I will keep you posted. November 10, 2006 I now have just under 20 hours on the biplane. I did my first oil change yesterday and it looks good. The plane is very easy to fly and lots of fun! I have found no ill manners in any of the flight characteristics. The power off stall is a non-event, just sort of a mush with no hard break. The power on stall is different, a clear break but nothing out of the ordinary.
Summer 2007: Well now that summer is here I am flying again. I added an Oil filter to the 0200 and I hope that takes off about 10 deg off the oil temps. I get about 200F at cruise @ 2400 RPM. I would like to see about 190-200F. Climb is about 500 FPM @ 70 MPH and 2700 RPM, lower than I would like but it will have to do. Cruise is about 75-80 MPH at 2400 RPM. I land at about 70 MPH and carry a little power all the way to the three point landing. This plane has LOTS of drag!!!! You don't want to get slow as the sink rate is substantial! I swapped out the tires to new larger ones with more tread depth, see the gear section on this site. I added an oil cooler wrap from Aircraft S & S and ducted a cool air flow over it, now I get 190-200 oil temp on the hot days...I am happy with this result. The tail spring bolts were pulling down into the wooden mount in the tail, bending the big fender washers and all. I cut and fitted an aluminum backing plate which extends over the entire area in the tail, including straddling the lower longerons. This is now very strong and should prevent any further pulling of the bolts. The new tires are great and wearing well. I made a new, larger, windshield to give me more protection from the wind buffet. This Airplane is very fun and stable to fly, however, I only like to fly it in smooth air as it is so light. I mainly fly it early mornings or just before sunset on calm days. More Data at the bottom of this page. |
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Celebrity
Weight & Balance Calculation
Datum was established as per FFP instruction sheet “Celebrity CG Calculations”, Copy herewith attached. The Datum is located 1.4 inches aft of the centerline of the main landing gear axle and is therefore a negative value for the purpose of these calculations.
The following values were obtained:
Empty Weight, Zero Fuel 792 Lbs
Gross Weight 1,230 Lbs
Usable Weight 438 Lbs
Acceptable CG Limits: Most Forward 22% MAC Most Aft 31% MAC
Pilot in Place (205 Lbs), No Fuel.
Zero Fuel in Wing Tanks
Main gear weight: 904.3 Lbs
Tail Wheel 92.0 Lbs
Datum -1.4 Inches
Total Weight 996.0 Lbs
Main – Tail wheel 156.75 Inches
Cord 48
92 X 156.75/996=14.47-1.4=13.07/48 X 100= 27.2% (OK)
Pilot in Place (205 Lbs), Full Fuel in Main Tank.
Zero Fuel in Wing Tanks
Main gear weight: 981.2 Lbs
Tail Wheel 89.9 Lbs
Datum -1.4 Inches
Total Weight 1071.1 Lbs
Main – Tail wheel 156.75 Inches
Cord 48
89.9 X 156.75/1071.1=13.16-1.4=11.76/48 X 100= 24.5% (OK)
Pilot in Place (204 Lbs), Full Fuel in Main Tank, 159 Lb Passenger.
Zero Fuel in Wing Tanks
Main gear weight: 1125 Lbs
Tail Wheel 105 Lbs
Datum -1.4 Inches
Total Weight 1230 Lbs
Main – Tail wheel 156.75 Inches
Cord 48
105 X 156.75/1230=13.38-1.4=11.98/48 X 100= 24.9% (OK)
Weight Testing Results
7/30/07 6 Gals in the wings + 9 Gals in the main tank = 90 lbs fuel
42 Lbs ballast + Me & Parachute, 190 Lbs = 232 Lbs
Take off Weight 1126 ( 104 under GTW)
79F 0 wind 72-75 MPH = 440 FPM
8/2/07 6 Gals in the wings + 10 Gals in the main tank = 96 lbs fuel
84 Lbs ballast + Me & Parachute, 190 Lbs = 274 Lbs
Take off Weight 1169 ( 61 under GTW)
72F 0 wind 72-75 MPH = 490 FPM
8/2/07 6 Gals in the wings + 9 Gals in the main tank = 90 lbs fuel
126 Lbs ballast + Me & Parachute, 190 Lbs = 316 Lbs
Take off Weight 1210 ( 20 under GTW)
72F 0 wind 72-75 MPH = 480 FPM
So, if I take off with full main tank (13.5 gal), empty wing tanks, I can carry up to a 155 lb passenger. I can, therefore, swap out 1 gal of fuel for each extra 6 lbs of passenger. If I take a 188 pound passenger with me, I’ll have to have only 8 gallons of fuel in the main. That will give about ½ hour ride with reserves.
