Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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Amphib flight
The amphibious version of N826DE made a successful 20 minute flight around the Old Town airport today. As expected (based on W&B calculations) the nose was a bit heavier than with the traditional gear. Plenty of flight control and trim for takeoff, flight and landing. Easily off the ground at 60 KIAS, though ready to fly by 50-55 range. Climbout at 65 KIAS with 2/3 tanks (20 gals) approx 300 - 400 fpm. Certainly felt a bit anemic. Nice and stable with the all the rigging hanging, despite the unstable air. Used 65 KIAS for approach and landed with excess speed, touched down earlier than expected, and a few "skips" later was slowed down enough to stay on the runway and slow to taxi speed. No shimmy experienced and easy transition from flight to ground handling. Looking forward to more flight testing when weather allows. Dave...
Comment
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Comment by Doug Malloy on September 3, 2018 at 10:01am
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Congrats David.
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Comment by David J. Beaulieu on September 2, 2018 at 7:17pm
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2nd flight with a bit better performance extracted...600-700 fpm climb at 60 KIAS. So far both flight tests with wheels remaining extended. Retracting should help with climb and cruise performance a bit. Current prop is a Catto 3 blade with nickel leading edges biased towards cruise versus climb.
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Comment by Jan Eggenfellner on August 31, 2018 at 9:23pm
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3-400 fpm does not sound good but is to be expected. A larger 3 bladed propeller would help you get more thrust. Be careful when you get on the water, it is sticky. Looking forward to water takeoff performance
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Comment by Bob McDonald on August 28, 2018 at 8:32pm
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Excellent. Good to hear the 1st flight went well. "Congrats"
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Thanks Dan, I think you have the better air frame for floats. It's going to be able to actually carry some stuff besides pilot and fuel.
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Comment by Daniel Niendorff on August 27, 2018 at 3:02pm
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Great to hear that it all went well. I hope to get mine up in not too long.
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