On this slightly overcast day, the Versa Wing had it's first flight! It cruised into the air in a extremely uneasy fashion, but none the less, it cruised into the air. As the more experienced of you will know, the Centre of Gravity is more tricky on a wing, it is not as simple as on conventional planes. It is in a very precise place, a few mm forward or backward and the plane would be nose heavy or tail heavy. On this instance, I had it nose heavy, but not in a comfortable way.
As I chucked it into the air, using the safer wing toss, I didn't realise that this would be the flight. The plane veered towards the ground, so I pulled up. Then let go of the stick, before realising this time that it might actually fly. As I yanked on the stick, the plane climbed up into the sky, adrenaline flooded through me. IT WAS ACTUALLY FLYING!
Of course at this point your probably thinking, of course it flies, that's what it's designed to do. But when you have built something, there is always a certain reluctance to get your hopes up.
The plane was smooth and agile in the air, however I had to keep constant back elevator due to it being so tail heavy. After looping around a few times and doing a figure of eight, I decided it was time to land. The plane cruised in gently, smoothly meeting the ground on it's vertical stabilisers. I was happy with the result, especially since I had just flown with a half broken vertical stabiliser, this plane was a real Tank, it could take pretty much anything.
So, the serious learning here! (Yes I know we have to do with, just bare with, bare with...) Ultimately, I would say be very careful when sorting out the Centre of Gravity on any wing. It is a very precise business and when changing your Centre of Gravity on a wing, so make sure you move it a few mm's at a time. It's better to have lots of little flights, than one short one!
Now, as the Dambusters theme tune plays in my head and the pride of victory swarms within me, I bid you farewell!
Till next time, your one and only Rookie.
TehMaxwell