Hi Paul/Guys;

In between a mess of a project I've been involved in, (which I'm

literally

locked up for).........I Finally got the LAEV set to

go!!!.........I'll

be

bringing it to S-N-F so those of you attending can see it, feel
it,

smell it

etc. in person.......Unfortunately I won't be able to stay the
whole

week since

I have to be back in the closet in a few days. I'll post later
in

the

week what

my schedule will be.........If Paul can arrange for us to have
the

Rotary tent

during off hours, I'll demonstrate dis-assemble and re-assemble
of

the

LAEV for

those interested in seeing this and it's innards.

Here's a few preview shots:

002---Blade plan form
005---LAEV at minimum pitch setting
007---Minimum blade angle
008---Maximum blade angle (Gasp!!)

Great work Butch, Perry and Paul

   Can't wait to see it in real life.  Looks so slim and efficient

compared

to others.  Do we have any numerical values (Pitch?) to go with
the min

and

max blade setting?  Is it ready to mount or does the electrical

strip/brush

part still need work?

   Be nice to mount it on my PSRU and fly back to NC with it {:>).

Ed Anderson

We would love to have you do that Ed. Are you prepared to sign a
release

:)

We can stop over at Tracy's and install it.

Paul Lamar

I tell you what, Paul,  I would be willing to take off my prop and
install
it for some test run ups.  Then assuming all looked well to everyone
involved (with me retaining veto rights {:>)) I could take it for a
gentle
flight to keep gyroscopic loads to a minimum.   And yes, I'd sign a
release.

Ed

Sounds good Ed. Keep the aerobatics down until we get a chance to
do the torture test. What do you think Butch and Perry?
With the variable pitch installed we can run it up on the ground to
6000 or more engine RPM.

Paul Lamar

Perry Mick wrote:

Due to a lack of a running engine on a sufficient test stand, that is
how I tested my fixed-pitch fans - bolt it on the airplane and hope it
doesn't fly apart!  Haven't had a failure yet fortunately.  If a blade
did depart don't know if I could get the engine killed fast enough to
prevent damage to the aircraft. In my case I was also worried about a
departing blade going through part of a wing or winglet. When I put a
new fan on my plane, I take the RPMs up very slowly in steps.

If Ed is willing to use his aircraft as a test bed it's fine with me,
he
understands the risks. After you get the static RPM up, do several
full
power runs down the runway before taking it off, also. You don't have
to
build up a lot of speed since max thrust is at low speed.

--
Perry Mick
Custom Composite Props
mick@bridgingworlds.com
http://www.ductedfan.com

I think the runway test is also a good idea as there will be a bit of
pitch
bucking going on.

Also Ed while you are still home install a 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch engine
safety cable that will retain the engine in the event of a blade
failure.
These are required on Reno racers and are a good idea in any event.

Paul Lamar

I am really shocked and disappointed   on this one.  What happened to
the absolute commitment to torture testing the LAEV on the test stand?
That is the place to find out what it is capable of and what, if any,
UNEXPECTED, problems arise. Certainly not  on the  front of a flying
airplane.  Of course, running on the ground on Ed's plane would be
fine.   Jerry

The priority slipped as many people needed manifolds. The lack of manifolds 
was holding up a lot of installations. There is only one of me. If someone 
wants to volunteer to help there is  free rent in the hangar apartment. Must
be an excellent tig welder.

Paul Lamar
 
The AirCraft Rotary Engine NewsLetter.  Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. http://home.earthlink.net/~rotaryeng/            
Copyright 1998-2002 All world wide rights reserved.