This morning was overcast and with a hint of drizzle and some breeze around, good enough to fly so I took the Radjet along. It has been flying best-ever recently, despite it's thoroughly battered appearance, and this morning it launched happily and climbed into the sky.
It looked like a pleasant morning's flight was in store when, out of the blue, the Radjet went into a severe stall and started to tumble. A few flicks of the control showed that I wasn't going to be any help, so I cut power and let the plane flutter down. My first guess was one of the control linkages had come loose but, on inspection, all was fine. The canopy, however, was nowhere to be seen...
Having flown for all of twenty seconds I was loathe to pack up and head to work, so I decided to give the Radjet another go sans canopy. Just in case, I launched the plane over the long paddock grass to act as an arrestor bed, however this proved needless as the Radjet climbed steadily.
In fact the Radjet flew well, very well in fact, seemingly faster than ever without the weight of the canopy. Also, with battery moved toward the centre of lift to correct the CoG, the jet was more agile and manoeuvrable as well.
In fact the Radjet was flying so well the throttle was soon at maximum and stayed there for the whole flight, the jet carving up the sky, soaring and rolling, until the motor note began to drop and I turned the plane in to land.
Walking back to the car I spotted the taped-up canopy lying on the grass. Well, I don't think I'll be needing that again...
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