Fauvel AV36

[Trevor]

Well, I've finally made a start on my first scale glider build since 1987. I'll be documenting the build on my own website so, rather than duplicate everything here, will post a link as each monthly instalment is published.

The first faltering steps are recorded here:
http://www.bartonhewsons.uk/home/modelf ... diary.html

All comments, suggestions, cautions etc. welcome.

[Trevor]

My October diary update is now online (same link as above). A few more issues with the plan have emerged so I'll try to generate a list of these at the end of the project, to forewarn any future builders. Is there a way this could be linked from the plans section of this site?

[Trevor]

The Diary entry for November is now online at:
http://www.bartonhewsons.uk/home/modelf ... l#November

It's beginning to take up quite a bit of space now!

Trevor

[john greenfield]

Nice write up Trevor. Much appreciated that you are sharing it with us.

Keep up the good work.

AEB

[Trevor]

Thanks John - nice to know that someone is watching!

The December diary entry is a bit thin (Christmas and all that), but is now online here:

http://www.bartonhewsons.uk/home/modelf ... l#December

Hopefully this month I should at least get the ailerons and rudders built!

Trevor

[RobbieB]

Oh we are watching......................

[Trevor]

Oh well, now that I know I'm not talking to myself (I was always told that that was the first sign. . .), I will share a question I've been pondering as the prospect of a maiden flight draws nearer.

Unlike Gordon's prototype, I am building in the flaps (which are actually more like underwing spoilers). I have no idea how effective they will be or what effect they might have on pitch trim - or indeed pitch stability. The plan is to operate the flaps via the butterfly facility in my Tx so that I have the option of including some up aileron in the hope of reducing any tip stalling risk at low speed. Again, this aileron deflection may also affect the pitch trim.

Just to complicate things further, another braking option is to deflect the rudders outwards. Whilst this too may affect pitch trim, I'd be fairly confident that it wouldn't affect pitch stability.

Any thoughts on the merits and risks of these mechanisms would be appreciated. The plan is to set the Tx up to be able to try out two or three permutations before committing to a landing. However, setting up the ability to trim the elevator compensation in flight for multiple braking modes might be a bit of a challenge!

[Trevor]

After the rather sparse December diary entry, I seem to have taken a lot more photos in January. The Latest diary update is now online here:

http://www.bartonhewsons.uk/home/modelf ... ml#January

[Trevor]

The next gripping instalment is now online here:
http://www.bartonhewsons.uk/home/modelf ... l#February
Covering is now underway, in a dark red and cream scheme based on the Shuttleworth example. I tend not to take photos of part covered models but hopefully, by the end of the month, the prospect of a maiden flight will be looming.

[Trevor]

The March diary entry is now online, ending with a maiden flight report including video shot by clubmate Frank Bayes:

http://www.bartonhewsons.uk/home/modelf ... html#March

As you can see, things didn't go entirely to plan but the model survived and shows quite a bit of promise once I get the setup sorted.