Aviation Design Mini Diamond
01-07-2017, 08:35 PM
#51
01-07-2017, 08:41 PM
#52
Pitot tube and Jeti MSpeed sensor installed in the horizontal stab assembly. This is a nice position as it keeps the pitot protected. It was a bit tight/tricky to get everything in place but I'm happy with the results. Now to get the second one done.
02-17-2017, 04:08 PM
#55
We received the electric gear this week. The mains are a fair bit larger than the original air gear and required the mounting area to be opened up. The nose gear bolts right in place.
02-17-2017, 10:58 PM
#58
Danny at Rocket Factory is assembling two carbon mini diamonds at the same time. They will be both powered with JM M140XBL. We had to upgrade the factory pipe to a stronger pipe to accommodate the bigger turbine.
All being well we should have flight results by Mid March...
DrV and I appreciate all the hard work of Danny and the team at Rocket Factory..
David
All being well we should have flight results by Mid March...
DrV and I appreciate all the hard work of Danny and the team at Rocket Factory..
David
02-18-2017, 05:54 AM
#60
AD specs a 70N to 120N Turbine so I'm sure it would fly. My preference with jets is to stay on the upper end of the spec (you never know when you'll need that extra umph).
02-18-2017, 06:04 AM
#61
One other detail I forgot to mention on the e-retracts, I really wanted a gyro brake assist controller like the Electron GS-200 but I found out that it wasn't compatible with the new retracts for the Mini. After a couple of emails with Gaspar, he informed me that the Xicoy LCG15 will work with the Mini retracts and pretty much has the exact same features. I have one coming for my build
02-20-2017, 07:57 AM
#66
02-20-2017, 08:15 AM
#67
A bit of material needed to be removed from the rails to clear the rear of the motor and the ears on the motor mount. Also the inlet had to be trimmed forward to clear the starter.
02-22-2017, 10:51 AM
#68
Well the Diamond has the retracts installed! Still need to complete my wiring harness but it was nice seeing her standing on her own. I must say that I'm impressed with how accurate AD was with with the CG. With their recommended turbine (Merlin 100 XBL and 500g of lipos up front, it perfectly hit the recommended CG (done with my Xicoy CG machine). Again these are preliminary numbers but she comes in at 22.6 lbs with an empty main and full UAT.
02-24-2017, 06:46 PM
#69
Made some decent progress! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for my winter build 
I completed my radio board, wired the rest of the jet and am at the point of programing equipment and checking throws. Once I figure out my Gyro assisted gear controller, I should be ready for taxi test in the next couple of weeks.
I completed my radio board, wired the rest of the jet and am at the point of programing equipment and checking throws. Once I figure out my Gyro assisted gear controller, I should be ready for taxi test in the next couple of weeks.
03-15-2017, 07:26 PM
#70
Today we maiden both Carbon version Mini Diamonds assembled by Danny at the "Rocket Factory". I have the red metallic once and Mike (DrV) has the white version. The take-off roll was very smooth and the jet lifted gently and climbed nicely. It needed three clicks of down elevator and two clicks of left aileron and the jet was cruising at about 180 mph at 60% throttle
.
It flew as if it was on rails and very solid. You just have to get used to the look of it in the air. The landing was uneventful and slowed down nicely with 95mm flaps.
As you can see from the pictures of the electronic and installation Danny and the team at the Rocket Factory did an "AWESOME" job. I would like to thank Danny and the team for 'another' successful jet... THANKS A LOT DANNY..
We had a professional photographer take inflight pictures. I will post those once i get them.
David
. It flew as if it was on rails and very solid. You just have to get used to the look of it in the air. The landing was uneventful and slowed down nicely with 95mm flaps.
As you can see from the pictures of the electronic and installation Danny and the team at the Rocket Factory did an "AWESOME" job. I would like to thank Danny and the team for 'another' successful jet... THANKS A LOT DANNY..
We had a professional photographer take inflight pictures. I will post those once i get them.
David
