Completed Model

Spanish War

Foward to the West

Flying Qualities 07.01.2005 flight report: Since the maiden flight on April 4, 2005 the I-16 has made almost 40 flights. This aircraft has proven to be a solid flyer with great flight characteristics. No equipment changes have been made since the first flight other than switching to a 3s2p 2100 Lipo battery pack. Typcial flight times are 12-14 minutes with ample reserve. The aircraft cruises nicely at 40% throttle and will do big smooth loops at only 50% throttle. Landings are easy and are generally done by chopping power at 20-30 feet altitude and gliding onto a grass field. This design is the best and easiest to fly model between the BF109F2 and the Mig-3. 04.20.2005 flight report: Three more flights on the Rata this date. Winds were 5-12 mph. No adjustments were made to control setups since the maiden flight. During these fights averaging 7 minutes each, the Rata flight envelope was further explored with some loops, horizontal rolls, stall turns, high speed passes and slow fight. No bad habits were discovered. The AXI 2212/20 with a 9x4.5 prop seems to have adequate power for all of these manuevers. Even at 60% throttle the aircraft cruises around nicely. The airplane slows down quickly when the power is reduced below 40% due to the blunt nose (drag). A bit of power is required to maintain a nice final approach for landing. The model is actually very docile in it's handling characteristics and is NOT difficult to fly. Any pilot experienced in 1/12 scale warbird type aircraft should have not trouble flying this model. 04.14.2005 flight report: This model was first successfully flown on this date, finished and equipped as shown and in the photos below. The model flew straight and level from the initial launch and demonstrated excellent flying characteristics! Only a small amount of right aileron trim was required for level flight. (The torgue of the outrunner motor probably contributed to the need for right trim) Two flight were made gently testing the control response and initial stall tendancies. Although the original full-scale aircraft was know for being very sensitive and having a high landing speed, this model does not duplicate those bad habits. Wind for maiden flights was 12-18 mph 04.24.2005 flight report: Four more flights this date. The airplane continues to prove to be a very good flyer not overly sensitive in roll or pitch. When flown as balanced with the CG @ ~ 23% of mean chord the airplane is very well behaved and relaxing to fly. This will be the final flight report unless there is a power system change.