That's only if the camera was in flight at the time. On a pole, or from an elevated location such as a building, or a mountain, is still ok.
ARF Stearman PT-17 from Maxford USA build log
- Thread starter earthsciteach
- Start date
I'm wondering how the Maxford PT-17 flew. I also have one and am waiting for the weather to improve here in northern MI before I can fly. So far I've been happy with the plane - the price was right, it went together without problems and it's not to big or too small. I did replace some of the screws and nuts with 2-56 size in stress areas.
I maidened it in wind WAAAY to strong for a biplane. In the air it flew as well as can be expected. The plane was slightly tail heavy at the prescribed cg. But, I think I will like it that way in calm air. Sport aerobatics should be fun with that cg!
The "landing", however, would have been diagnosed by the FAA as, "Pilot Error." :black_eyed: I was bringing it down into a brisk wind and it was floating just like my Super Cub. It stalled and nosed over from about 12 feet. I leveled off but did not apply enough power. The result was a quick pitch up of the nose (tail heavy plane - heavy thumbs on the elevator stick). The plane performed what I can only describe as a hammerhead turn - about 4 feet above the ground. It hit hard on the lower right wing and cartwheeled.
The damage was minimal given the impact and resulting cartwheel. The only result was a couple of cracked ribs and the ca hinges in the rudder pulling out. I can't fault the airplane in the crash - only myself. And it held up extremely well. I never should have flown it in the wind. But, it had been sitting around waiting for sooooo long!
The "landing", however, would have been diagnosed by the FAA as, "Pilot Error." :black_eyed: I was bringing it down into a brisk wind and it was floating just like my Super Cub. It stalled and nosed over from about 12 feet. I leveled off but did not apply enough power. The result was a quick pitch up of the nose (tail heavy plane - heavy thumbs on the elevator stick). The plane performed what I can only describe as a hammerhead turn - about 4 feet above the ground. It hit hard on the lower right wing and cartwheeled.
The damage was minimal given the impact and resulting cartwheel. The only result was a couple of cracked ribs and the ca hinges in the rudder pulling out. I can't fault the airplane in the crash - only myself. And it held up extremely well. I never should have flown it in the wind. But, it had been sitting around waiting for sooooo long!
Today seems a fitting day to put a cap on this thread. the Stearman has been my favorite flyer for the past several months. Today, I had a great flight, right up until the Earth got in the way.
She's already on the project list...
She's already on the project list...
Sorry to see this as a stearman is normally a well-behaved model to fly.
After several re-plays it seems that you yanked the elevator back just at the top of the stall? as you flip over and head in it looks like to gather enough speed for the wings to start pulling you out. Is there any evidence that your push rod(s) slipped in the linkage? If you have two rods (one for each elevator) this is a potential failure point. I've had it happen before. I hate this setup. I've gone so far as to solder joints for dual push rods in elevators because of it.
While the re-build may seem messy... let it sit for at least 3-weeks. Don't even look at it. Then come back and re-assess.
After several re-plays it seems that you yanked the elevator back just at the top of the stall? as you flip over and head in it looks like to gather enough speed for the wings to start pulling you out. Is there any evidence that your push rod(s) slipped in the linkage? If you have two rods (one for each elevator) this is a potential failure point. I've had it happen before. I hate this setup. I've gone so far as to solder joints for dual push rods in elevators because of it.
While the re-build may seem messy... let it sit for at least 3-weeks. Don't even look at it. Then come back and re-assess.
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Whoa, not to get all mod on you, but watch the language, we're family friendly here.
Fixed spelling.
Boooo, now it's not as amusing.
