Owner of N52MT, Dragonfly MkI here. Nice airplane you have. Is there not a header tank in your aircraft?
@trifoils
3 ай бұрын
It was removed by the previous owner, who installed an ellison tbi and mechanical fuel pump. I added a bleedback jet after this pump, which eliminated the "burping" idle. I really like the ellison and think it's partly why the plane can do 140mph at around 3gph. :) No vapor lock issues.
@russellaustin7609
3 ай бұрын
@@trifoils I also had the Ellison on my Great Plains 1835. I recently installed the AeroVee 2.1 and the included Aerocarb (not the current Aeroinjector). The Aerocarb is VERY similar to the Ellison and so far I’ve had great luck with it.
@russellaustin7609
3 ай бұрын
I loved the Ellison as well!
@oneskydog6768
8 ай бұрын
Hey! Nice flight. Next flight do a simulated landing approach and determine minimum speed you can arrest the vertical descent power off. That is what I use for final to short final. That way I have enough energy if the engine stops to level out and not mush into the runway. I just saw your comment oops.
@trifoils
8 ай бұрын
Skydog! You are one of the original dragonflyers from the very beginning! Is it safe to say these planes are very underrated? They're not race planes but the most room, lift and speed of anything else with vw power. Yours went 1000+ hrs on the original hapi 60!
@oneskydog6768
8 ай бұрын
Hi , My involvement in Dragonflies started in 1983 when my brother bought a set of plans. I was working as a manufacturing process engineer for an advanced composites manufacturer. I was pursuing cross country hang gliding which came to an end in 1990. I averaged 55 hours a year for ten years with a 120 mile flight as my longest. In 1995 I bought 157JG with 350 hours on it. The engine lasted 650 hours and was replaced with another HAPI. The second engine had 200 hours on it when the propeller hub connection failed destroying the engine in 2006. IF YOU ARE FLYING THE HAPI ENGINE BEWARE! There was a long bolt change on the hub and the cotter pin is ineffective as a locking device. Remove the hub clean everything and reassemble the hub to the crank using Red Locktite and torque to 90 ft lb. The plane itself has been great! I could cover 800 to 1000 miles a day at 4 gallons per hour. But climb rate over 5000 ft was marginal. Ceiling was 11,000. Very comfortable even after ten hours. I think the Revmaster 2300 might be the ideal engine today. Corvairs and O200’s work but are heavy for the airframe. N157JG was scrapped in 2007 and rebuilt as a new airplane in 2011. In 2016 it was heavily damaged in a forced landing with 75 hours on the Corvair. It is now rebuilt an has 20 minutes of airtime. Airframe has 1000 hours, canard replaced twice. Mk-II fiberglass gear legs.
@trifoils
8 ай бұрын
I agree on the r2300. I have one here waiting to get overhauled, as soon as the gp2180 gives up. I still see 500+ fpm above 7000' with the prince style 52x48 prop. Thanks for the info!
@Fergus158
8 ай бұрын
Hi, I am looking at purchasing a similar aircraft and although I understand each one is unique, what is the typical fuel capacity and range. Id appreciate any feedback you may have thanks, Fergus
@trifoils
8 ай бұрын
16 gallons not counting the header tank. Mine is fuel injected so the header tank is gone. 3 gph, 120kts, 500-600nm depending on wind. Get one, it is awesome!
@Fergus158
8 ай бұрын
@@trifoils thanks for getting back to me i am seeing it next month with an AMP. Is there anything i should look at regarding the build. Thanks
@trifoils
8 ай бұрын
@@Fergus158 make sure the header tank was not leaking on the main wing
@justinwerth3138
11 ай бұрын
N5TD appears to be the younger sibling of my plane N115DP from my brief research. Great to see yours in the air. I'm replacing the gear with the hoop and putting a Revmaster 2100D on it with Casler's high HP heads. Would be neat to see the two aircraft together some day.
@trifoils
11 ай бұрын
You have the mk1 they built before this one? We definitely need to get them back together for a photo op. I'm in socal but these planes can move. What state are you in? I like your mods. Hoop gear is a huge improvement!
@justinwerth3138
11 ай бұрын
@@trifoils correct, I have Donald's MK1. I'm in Texas so I'm sure there's a good halfway point. Probably won't be until late next year because it takes forever to get materials. I've been waiting on epoxy for 2 months.
@trifoils
11 ай бұрын
Get that thing in the air!
@trifoils
Жыл бұрын
The plane is still going strong! These get confused with the Q2 and Q200. Dragonfly is bigger, slower, much easier to land on the MK2 gear, and possibly a little more stable because the wings are spread further apart. It's basically a grown-up quickie and designed to fly 2 adults with 45 hp. Typically plan for 120kts and 3gph.
@bobirving6052
Жыл бұрын
Awesome!
@trifoils
Жыл бұрын
Added gap seals on the canard following Dragonfly newsletter #43. Stall speed lowered 2 mph indicated, cruise speed increased by same amount. Some builders found the seals eliminated the rain trim problem without vortex generators. Will try and report back. First landing on a dirt strip - no problem! This plane continues to amaze
@trifoils
Жыл бұрын
Cruise speed vs. fuel flow, for anyone curious. Mph vs. Gph at about 6000' msl, leaned to peak egt. Great Plains 2180cc Vw conversion, avgas 100LL, Ellison throttle body injector. Prop is the original sterba 54x46 modified to look like a Prince, and is about 52x48 (which seriously improved takeoff and climb): 125 mph - 2.0 gph 135 mph - 2.5 gph 145 mph - 3.5 gph Top speed - haven't been brave enough to try! Mountain lift / sink easily pushes it near vne on the down side. :D
@neskyz4259
Жыл бұрын
Mine has the 1835cc so thinking I'll be about 3-5mph behind you with the same fuel burn. What does yours weigh?
@trifoils
Жыл бұрын
@@neskyz4259 Around 700 empty. It's on the heavy side. Yours will fly very well with the 1835cc. Get that thing in the air!
@bobirving6052
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, yes I was curious! Those are Excellent numbers!!
@kiltedmonkcustoms
Жыл бұрын
What is the take off speed? Seemed like a lot of runway was used
@trifoils
Жыл бұрын
Yes that was my first takeoff in type, and I lifted off at about 80kts. Now that I know the plane I lift off in about 700-800 ft at 65 mph. Landing is tailwheel first at 60 with about 1000ft rollout, 4000' field elevation. This flight was super-gentle, being my first!
@trifoils
Жыл бұрын
First flight in the rain. Plane starts diving slightly and requires about 1/8" down elevator deflection. Didn't check the stall speed. Made some cowling inlet improvements to bring down the CHT and picked up a few more MPH in cruise as a bonus. This plane is a blast to fly.
@neskyz4259
Жыл бұрын
And what do you get for a cruise speed? I figure I’ll be a few knots slower with the small engine but who knows…got to get it running first!
@trifoils
Жыл бұрын
Just did a speed run, out and back averaged 141 mph ground speed at 3250 rpm, 6500' msl altitude, approx. 3.5 gph. It has a sterba 54x46 prop.
@neskyz4259
Жыл бұрын
@@trifoils that is awesome!! That’s over 120 knots. If I can get 120 knots out of mine I’ll be very happy!
@trifoils
Жыл бұрын
I'm happy with it. This is a 30 year old airplane over 700lbs empty weight with VGs and a slightly wavy / rough finish on the front wing. Lots of steps and gaps on the wheel pants and cowl, and a huge unfaired tailwheel. These planes have a lot of potential.
@neskyz4259
Жыл бұрын
@@trifoils mine weighs about 650
@neskyz4259
Жыл бұрын
@@trifoils and it’s smooth as glass too!!
@neskyz4259
Жыл бұрын
Great video! Can’t wait to get mine in the air. What r u running for an engine?
@trifoils
Жыл бұрын
Great Plains 2180 with Ellison TBI
@neskyz4259
Жыл бұрын
@@trifoils I have a GP 1835 with an Ellison TB…having a devil of a time getting it started. Just refuses to crank. What r u using for ignition?
@trifoils
Жыл бұрын
It has one slig mag and one electronic ignition, and uses a mechanical (VW) fuel pump and an electric boost pump. Haven't done any speed runs yet but the fuel burn is very low. This flight was an hour with six landings, full power climbs, takeoffs etc. and used a total of 2.7 gallons. It's faster than a Cherokee.
@wheelspin1000
2 жыл бұрын
Nice airplane and great landing too! I'm a licensed pilot looking at more affordable ways to fly and I'm revisiting ultralights. I'm looking at the Rans S4/S5 or maybe a Phantom Ultralight. How do you like your S5? Do these really weigh 254 lbs empty?
@trifoils
2 жыл бұрын
The S4 with single cylinder engine and no instruments, tiny wheels, etc. can weigh 254 lbs. The S5 is an incredible value and so is the S4. They fly like a real airplane because the layout is the same. Way more grin per dollar than a cessna or cherokee, but not fun in turbulence.
Пікірлер