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Inside Link to Video Elio 1st Toss

Today was supposed to be all about Trevor picking up his Elio

At 6 A.M. a quick check of the thermometer showed a temperature of 0 Deg , a bit nippy I thought, but crossed fingers would hopefully get the dial to move a little.

The wind was very light , out of the north, oh maybe 5- 10 km/hr ideal for 1st flights.

Andrew and Trevor where packed early, and headed north from Halifax sometime after 7 and had made the journey up by 9 A.M. The 1st hr or so was spent getting Trevor’s plane equipped with the latest Spektrum receiver and adding some lead to balance the plane..

3 men got the job done, and the Elio tipped the scales at a trim 3.04 lbs, and we all deemed it ready to fly..

We took the long route to the field, maybe cause I was hopping it would warm up a little or the breeze would die down. First Flights can be trouble, so ideal conditions are preferred.

Trevor bestowed me with the honor of sitting at the controls for the inaugural flight, so I found a grassy knoll at the south end of the field.

We stopped en route, to take some pictures as who knew whether or not this would go well.

Here’s the one I got of the proud new owner , classic pose with his new brilliant Oranje Elio

At, this point, no radio in hand, I point the nose into the wind, and ran a few paces. The plane lifted out of my hand nicely and appeared to have all the ingredients for a succesfull maiden flight. Of course I caught it and onward we trekked.

Upon arrival at the grassy knoll, we went about the pre  flight checks rudder check, stab check , spoilers check. That was it I guess and a light toss and away it was.

This was absolutely the best most wonderful 1st toss I had ever experienced, there’s a video somewhere.

 

Found the Video, here you go.

Elio 1st Flight

 

I believe I made three 200 ft diameter circuits, ending with an awful landing.. LOL

Well the Hi start was up next, we made the hike back to the hanger,  5 minutes or so away , picked up the histart and the other two Elio’s,

all along marveling at how graceful the plane looked, and wondering how long the flight was! :):)

a Great Day.

Back to the field we go , this time we got a group photo or two

We set the hi start up and soon had the Oranja Elio up the line on a shortened launch.

All went well, we stretched the rubber out further and next Trevor was at the controls.

The plane flew very nice, and later was up in some great lift and met up with a feathered friend who was not happy.

We all took turns launching our planes, but I only ever counted two planes flying at once.

Always seemed like one of us wanted to just kick back and watch:)

Get a kick out of the logo on the jacket . For anyone who doesn’t know, Google it, I mean Royal Flush.

Trevor got this shot of me circling in for landing.

 

 

 

On one of my flights, I discovered some good lift, so later launched Trevor’s Elio up into it. As I was circling about to go higher and higher, we discovered an Eagle way up there. I wasn’t to worried, Eagles are lazy he won’t bother us, then I was alerted to another eagle much closer. It wasn’t an eagle but a hawk, now that was another story. As I focused on the task at hand , gaining altitude Andrew and Trevor said he’s after me.. Sure enough I spent the next three minutes or so darting and circling in the sky. I suppose, I could have opened the spoilers and got out of Dodge a lot quicker, but in some way this was fun as well.

Anticipating my feathered friends next moves was part of the challenge and then I was told he’s dropped his talons and I had to take a brief look. Sure enough he had and also his wings where shaped into the dive or attack position. Soon I found myself getting closer to landing, and noticed my heart was racing, what a thrill, and just like that the hawk went off to the west and was off under that big elusive white cloud Tom often speaks of.

Huum, how can this be topped, the breeze was a little stronger then when we started and sitting back in the hanger was my winch, ready to go. With all the spectators, well Andrew and Trevor,  was I getting stage fright?

Oh well I thought, I had drawn straws and my Elio’s number came up as the first plane I would ever send up on a winch.

I was really looking for a beater plane for this, as my Elio had only seen about 20 Hi start launchs and was not really the ideal candidate.

Neither Andrew of Trevor stepped forward at this point with any winged offerings. What where they thinking? 🙂

So, I asked Andrew and Trevor if they where going to stick around, and witness this. Sure enough they would, not ones wanting to miss an opportunity for excitement I suppose. Then when asked If I should bring anything else from the hanger Trevor said “your Icon”.

After a second realizing what Trevor said , I chuckled..:)

Huum it was the reason I needed the winch.

The Icon was already out, basking in the sun, so I gathered it as well as the winch, turnaround , battery and other stuff and headed back out.

The line was pulled out upwind through the turnaround and back to the launch position.

Trevor offered to be the break man in case the winch drum spun on after I released from the line.

The Elio was hooked up and off it went, couldn’t find any pictures, maybe Andrew or Trevor took some?

It actually went of without a hitch, it was good that Trevor and Andrew were there and watched the drum. The drum did freewheel out a bit after launch and created a small birdsnest of line which was soon cleared. It seemed like a brake was needed, but later in the day, I discovered it came down to technique, and I needed to get off the pedal a little earlier prior to release of the line..

After 3 launchs with the Elio out came the Icon at 80 Oz’s it needed the winch for launching , the 3 Meter Hi Start wasn’t up to the task.

Here it is, up and away, what a joy to fly. As Trevor observed it was faster then his  Elio!

But flies like it’s on a rail, when you turn it in it wants to stay there, circling circling, up and up..

It’s now 7 P.M. Trevor and Andrew are long gone, the winch is still out there along with the Icon, one last launch for the day I thought. It won’t amount to much though, maybe 4 or 5 minutes, but who cares.

Out I went, transmitter on, receiver on.

Connect the battery for the winch; all set.

Oh no, I forgot the neck strap for the transmitter,  for a brief moment I thought launch without; naaaah play it safe there will be more Great Days like today..