Radjet Test Flight Havoc

...but got there eventually

I took the Radjet to the field today for a test flight in its new sleek guise, a beautiful sunny afternoon with clear blue skies and a refreshing southerly breeze.

As well as the new nose, I had reset the Radjet's controls and checked servo throws as well as reducing the elevator trim I usually have as I reckoned the Airbus-like fuselage interface would generate lift in flight.

The first launch was a complete crash, with the Radjet nosing down as of old straight into the ground. I figured this was because of the lack of elevator trim, so dialled it back in again. The second attempt started well, with the Radjet climbing steeply into the sky as I craned my neck to keep track of it.

However, as I levelled the Radjet it suddenly went unstable and ended in a flat spin, the only thing I could do was put full aileron and full elevator which slows the descent of the plane still inescapably spinning.

Collecting the Radjet I reckoned I knew the cause; the plane was balancing on the fingertips but only in the centre of the grips; slide the fingers forward and the Radjet was tilting back. I had hoped this would be OK but proved this wasn't the case.

A solution to this was to re-orientate the receiver so that I could push it further forward in the nose, and shoved in a small stick, the only ballast I could find at hand. So, with the plane now balanced I went back for the third try.

Fortunately this time everything went to plan and the Radjet went careering into the sky. My guess about the new configuration generating lift was right, so I had to dial the elevator trim back to neutral. This levelled the flight, but means I'll have to figure out something for launch next time.

The Radjet seemed faster, and twitchier, the former certainly due to the sleek nose, while the latter I think is related and I've just increased the expo a few percent. So, the Radjet is back in the air at least, although not without some drama, and I'll have to do a little work figuring out the launch next time...

A New Experience

...which ends well, but in the paddock

This morning was lovely, calm and cool, with the sun just rising as I unpacked the planes. I took the Floater and the Radjet, with the former being backup as the latter can sometimes be a little unpredictable.

As it turned out the little jet launched smoothly and flew beautifully, now nicely balanced and flying straight despite it's torrid history of traumatic crashes and endless repairs. It's more predictable behaviour also makes landing easier, bringing it in on a nice long gliding approach and dropping it gently onto the dewy grass.

Having the Floater I decided to throw that up as well for a more relaxing finish to the morning's flying. Well, it ended up as more of a walk as, with the Floater turning back from the paddock, it began to fly lower and lower. Adding more power to counteract what is often an area with sink, the Floater seemed to make no response and eventually glided down for an auto landing.

Reaching it eventually, after a walk across the field and a hop over the fence, the cause was apparent - flipping the power on, the prop spun up momentarily before lazily winding down.

I'd forgotten to charge the batteries...