Why the Flitzer?
Celebrations are still going on at the Connecticut Flitzer Werke after the First Flight of the Morrisov machine; a 1-1/2-decade project of blood, sweat and years.
It was an immense thrill to fly the Flitzer at last. Butterflies flee as you push the throttle to takeoff power for the first time and the senses are overwhelmed with deafening noise, rapid acceleration and roaring slipstream, while one concentrates totally on keeping straight, urging lift off and testing the controls for every nuance.
First flight lasted 20 minutes. In the first few seconds I found the Flitzer more sensitive than I had imagined, but quickly settled down to enjoy the climbout and the Flitzer's superb handling through several steep, spiraling turns. Performance on the final approach was beautifully balanced.
Now the Flitzer is back in the hangar as I address a rich mixture that is robbing it of a couple of hundred rpm at cruise power. It is so satisfying to realize that the project that began 15 years ago with 33 pages of plans and a pile of wood is now a real airplane. But that's not the end of the story: construction has given way to the next phase, flight test test and development.
And full credit to Ernst Kessler (Lynn Williams) without whom none of this would have been possible. His words of wisdom have been invaluable, his responses immediate, and his friendship a treasure.
Prost! - Baron Ivan Morrisov
Connecticut Flitzer Werke
Hello all
ZK-FZR "Elfega" made her first flight today 25 August 2011 at 1139 hours NZST from the Otaki Airstrip about 70 kms north of Wellington, New Zealand. Duration 20 minutes with wind 5 - 8 kts down the runway and a little more upstairs. Cloudbase of 1200 ft or so.
What can I say. Handled very well and reminded me strongly of my Druine Turbulent but a lot more precise in the roll axis. No trim problems that I could sense and good forward view right up to the flare. Easy to control on both takeoff and landing .Cockpit very comfortable.
Now looking forwards completing the flight test phase and fine tuning a few things.
Thanks Lynn and thanks to my ground crew Neil and Dennis.
Cheers
Max
Group,
Here's the aeroplane airborne for the very first time. Ray reported nose-heaviness which was to be expected as it was built for Bernard's personal weight, so the dimensional reduction in the forward fuselage was not effected and the engine mount is of the standard length. However, this can be countered with two small foam wedges taped to the underside of the elevator for the remainder of the test flying, and these can be removed when Bernard is at the controls. It is not worth adjusting the tailplane angle (which would also mean re-adjusting the elevator cable lengths) for the purposes of the test flying period.
Ray reported delightful handling and a good view in the air and on finals, with a small amount of skid applied. Mixture control is something to be monitored to get the best from the machine as it appeared to be a little choked on this twenty minute flight. I find the same thing wth the Z-1 prototype, that the mixture needs to be fine-tuned during the actual take off run, and as it sweetens up the power really comes on.
Many congratulations, Bernard, on building such a fine aeroplane and an excellent example of the Flitzer marque.
Cheers,Lynn
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