ELECTRIC FLIGHT U.K. - British Electric Flight Association

To give the model its
best chance, it was
loaded up with the
LiPo pack, and
The “firewall” with motor, speed controller and nose wheel fitted
passed all functional
and radio range
checks with flying
colours. Having run
out of excuses, it was
time to see how it
would fly!
The throttle was
opened smoothly and
the model tracked
rapidly down the
runway, the nose
wheel steering being
used to keep it
straight in the slight
crosswind.
Lift-off came well
before the end of the runway, and she climbed rapidly at about 30° until I levelled
her off and throttled back to a cruise climb at about 50ft. Climbing round the
circuit, I found the controls to be smooth and positive, and the model tracked
steadily through the rather gusty air. I found I could position the model wherever
I wanted it, and made a few basic circuits to satisfy myself about the handling.
The only adjustments I had to make were a couple of clicks of down elevator trim.
The third time round, I applied full power whilst turning into wind and tried a
loop. The sleek model carried good speed over the top, and I was able to throttle
back to about ¼ power coming down the other side. I already knew that the
ailerons were positive, and the loop was followed immediately by a roll. The rate of
roll was less than I am used to with the Sukhoi and Vermont Belle, but entirely in
character with the Harvard.
OK, so this heavy model was fast and manoeuvrable, but how would it fare at low
speed? Now well into the flight, it was time to try the low-speed handling. Climbing
to about 150 feet, I throttled back and held the nose up as the speed dropped off,
reaching nearly full up elevator before the nose dropped, slightly to the left. Power
was restored and a power-on stall tried. This was similarly undramatic, so I made
a few trial approaches for the first landing.
Conscious of the model's cleanliness and speed, the final approach was made level
at about 4 feet up as the speed bled off. The model tracked dead straight through
the gusty air, and I was easily able to line it up with our narrow runway. It
34 E.F.-U.K.