Eos adventures starting May 7th, 2011

[Giancarlo]

Today I made my first flight above Rieti (Italy) with I-NOIR, my "new" ASW15 ship that I call Eos.

She's an early version (n. 15106) with the offcenter gravity tow hook: the start has been no issue, with the tips I read in this forum and the help of my CFI.

Only in the first few minutes of flight, on tow, the all moving stabiliser has been an issue, mostlyd ue to the very turbulent air: you get accustomed very soon and after that there is no more to think about.

She's a very pleasant ship to fly: confortable, responsive but stable, and with light and effective commands. Climbs very well and safely even at low altitude (not too low, of course!).

Rudder is very sensible, too, due to its big area.

Powerful, very powerful airbrakes, indeed! They surprised me and I made a short landing! Will do better next time (with less cross wind).

Here are some pictures:

[Giancarlo]

Second flight on May, 14th.

It's the first glider that makes me really love to circle in thermals (the K13 was almost the same)!!!

Nice flights to all.

Giancarlo

[Johan van Ravenzwaaij]

Thanks for sharing; nice pics!

[Giancarlo]

I've been silent for a while (well, a long while ...), since, with the occasion of the ARC renewal last year after my first two flights, it came out that my beautiful bird needed some works.

So, I ordered a thorough overhaul, which it came out from a significant list of interventions to:
- ailerons,
- airbrakes;
- instruments and cockpit panel
- tubes.

And then, I asked for a new panel with a new instruments layout and the place for my new T-Advisor, as well as for a full repainting of the cockpit and many other works.

In brief, there's some more time needed yet, but it will come almost as new!

Here are some pictures shot today.

More news to come ...



 

[Johan van Ravenzwaaij]

It's indeed some work, but you can enjoy your "new" plane for more than 30 years. Please keep us updated of your progress.

[Giancarlo]

It's indeed some work, but you can enjoy your "new" plane for more than 30 years. Please keep us updated of your progress.

I will (update and enjoy)!

More pictures are to come soon with the new interior painting.

Hope to try it in flight during next autumn/winter, to be ready for the new season....

[Johan van Ravenzwaaij]

I hope you mean season 2013? 

[Giancarlo]

I hope you mean season 2013? 

I hope too 

[Giancarlo]

Slowly approaching to arrival ... 

Here are the pictures of the new panel (to be painted) that I have just received.

I'm looking hopefully to the coming season ...

[Johan van Ravenzwaaij]

Hi Giancarlo,

Very nice dashboard! I was wondering why you didn't round the edges of the arches for your legs... I know from experience that those arches can hurt 

[Giancarlo]

Hi Giancarlo,

Very nice dashboard! I was wondering why you didn't round the edges of the arches for your legs... I know from experience that those arches can hurt 

Thanks! It's an original layout, suggested by an old and expert pilot: pneumatic vario (one day, to be replaced with a Bohli) and anemometer on the first line in view (and they can work as a rudimental speed director: the vario needle leads the anomemeter's one - up/slower - down/faster), together with the anticollision device. Electric vario just under the pneumatic one and altimeter near by.

It's still a work in progress, so, I can try to follow your kind advice to round the edge, if possible.
Anyway, I have already asked to cut it as high as possible compared to the old one, and there should be more than enough space for my legs (I am medium tall and quite slim). In case it wouldn't  , I'll fly with strong protections on my thighs, remembering the wise advice of a certain Johan 

More pictures to follow as soon as possible ...

[Giancarlo]

Time is approaching that my beauty flies again.
Here is a picture of the new panel installed.
As it can be seen, the overhaul job has been impressive (no painting, though), and this is why it takes so a long time.
More news to come.

[Johan van Ravenzwaaij]

And a Zander e-vario, nice!

[Giancarlo]

Yes, it's an old fashioned 820, but it worked ok when I flew it ...

Maybe one day an old friend will borrow me a vario Bohli ...

[Giancarlo]

Here's my brand new cockpit (only the compass is still missing, its place is on the top of the panel cover).
Yesterday we tried to fix an asimmetric opening of the airbrakes in the first half (the left one opened almost 1,00 cm more than the right one  ).
Apart from some other minor works, now it's just a matter of papers (and in Italy this is always an issue ...). But, in 10 days ....