ASW 27 Flight Testing Video Clip

[[email protected]]

For the last month I have been flight testing the rebuilt ASW 27. The program is going well and I am nearing completion of the required phase 1 testing. I still have max gross weight, final spin testing and a tow test for completion. So far I have only been able to self-launch since no towing is available this late in the season. The twin turbines are working well and provide a solid 600 fpm climb rate at these cooler fall temperatures. The steerable tailwheel is also working well and provided good directional control during takeoff and landing.

Here is a link to a compilation of short clips from the flight test program..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_rFhN_abrQ

Chris

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 5:58:19 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> For the last month I have been flight testing the rebuilt ASW 27. The program is going well and I am nearing completion of the required phase 1 testing. I still have max gross weight, final spin testing and a tow test for completion. So far I have only been able to self-launch since no towing is available this late in the season. The twin turbines are working well and provide a solid 600 fpm climb rate at these cooler fall temperatures. The steerable tailwheel is also working well and provided good directional control during takeoff and landing.
>
> Here is a link to a compilation of short clips from the flight test program.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_rFhN_abrQ
>
> Chris

Very cool!
UH

[Steve Leonard[_2_]]

On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 5:48:43 PM UTC-5, wrote:
>
> Very cool!
> UH

Yes indeed! Thank you for the update, Chris!

Steve Leonard

[Charles Longley]

Very cool! Is that retract system electric or manual? Can you start the turbines in the air?

[Mike N.]

How do you manage turbine cool down requirements prior to retraction?

What is the fuel consumption rate for both take off power and cruise?

What is the service life of the turbines?

This is cool, I am asking because I find this very interesting.

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 6:53:05 PM UTC-5, Charles Longley wrote:
> Very cool! Is that retract system electric or manual? Can you start the turbines in the air?

Retract system is electric using linear actuators.

One or both turbines can be started in the air for sustainer or another climb.

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 7:26:06 PM UTC-5, Mike N. wrote:
> How do you manage turbine cool down requirements prior to retraction?
>
> What is the fuel consumption rate for both take off power and cruise?
>
> What is the service life of the turbines?
>
> This is cool, I am asking because I find this very interesting.

Turbine cool down - All of the turbine engine data is monitored in the cockpit including the temperatures. After shutdown they stay extended until I see the temps drop to below 30C, then they are retracted. This will take about a minute.

The fuel consumption is really high. During takeoff I will burn a gallon every two minutes. An average 3k climb will burn just under 3 gallons. My cruise configuration will be using one turbine for sustainer at full power using 1 gallon every 4 minutes. One engine gives me a 300 fpm climb rate if needed or a fast cruise.

The service life is 25 hours. At that interval the manufacture will inspect and rebuild the engines to bring them back to new overhaul condition. The turbines are RC engines primarily intended for large RC aircraft. The engines are Jetcat P300 RX which have been replaced with the latest P300 Pro versions.

[Joel Flamenbaum[_2_]]

Beautiful - fuel consumption and where is the fuel stored? Duration at full throttle?
Also, drag or loss in performance with turbo extended?

Awesome combination

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 10:14:03 AM UTC-5, Joel Flamenbaum wrote:
> Beautiful - fuel consumption and where is the fuel stored? Duration at full throttle?
> Also, drag or loss in performance with turbo extended?
>
> Awesome combination

A 10 gallon fuel cell is built into the fuselage behind all of the control systems. I have a slightly aft CG during takeoff and as I burn fuel my CG moves forward. Duration with full fuel would be 20 minutes at full power. If I get a tow and only run one turbine I can double the endurance. The extended turbines have a pretty small drag signature. I am guessing it is similar to leaving the gear down. The air noise is more noticeable then the drag during the extended cooling cycle.

Chris

[[email protected]]

Hi Chris,

Interesting modifications, congratulations to your achievement! Are the gelcoat-discolorations on the tail caused by the heat of the exhaust, or is this a result of fuel contamination? I remember that in some turbine powered gliders, the engines are slightly angled against the fuselage centerline in order to keep the heat away from the tail. If I am not mistaken, this was the case with the LS4 jet retrofit offered by M&D (https://md-flugzeugbau.de/en/areas-of-expertise/jet-antrieb-mdtj-42/).

Christoph

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 12:38:32 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Hi Chris,
>
> Interesting modifications, congratulations to your achievement! Are the gelcoat-discolorations on the tail caused by the heat of the exhaust, or is this a result of fuel contamination? I remember that in some turbine powered gliders, the engines are slightly angled against the fuselage centerline in order to keep the heat away from the tail. If I am not mistaken, this was the case with the LS4 jet retrofit offered by M&D (https://md-flugzeugbau..de/en/areas-of-expertise/jet-antrieb-mdtj-42/).
>
> Christoph

The discoloration is a build up from a number of takeoffs and heat is not a problem. The diesel fuel is mixed with turbine oil for bearing lubrication which soils the tail. A wax/grease remover is needed for removal.

[Mike N.]

Nice. I am familiar with RC jet engines and the Jet Cat engines.

Thanks for the video and innovation. Continued good luck on your project.

[John Foster]

On Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 9:02:30 AM UTC-6, wrote:
> On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 7:26:06 PM UTC-5, Mike N. wrote:
> > How do you manage turbine cool down requirements prior to retraction?
> >
> > What is the fuel consumption rate for both take off power and cruise?
> >
> > What is the service life of the turbines?
> >
> > This is cool, I am asking because I find this very interesting.
>
> Turbine cool down - All of the turbine engine data is monitored in the cockpit including the temperatures. After shutdown they stay extended until I see the temps drop to below 30C, then they are retracted. This will take about a minute.
>
> The fuel consumption is really high. During takeoff I will burn a gallon every two minutes. An average 3k climb will burn just under 3 gallons. My cruise configuration will be using one turbine for sustainer at full power using 1 gallon every 4 minutes. One engine gives me a 300 fpm climb rate if needed or a fast cruise.
>
> The service life is 25 hours. At that interval the manufacture will inspect and rebuild the engines to bring them back to new overhaul condition. The turbines are RC engines primarily intended for large RC aircraft. The engines are Jetcat P300 RX which have been replaced with the latest P300 Pro versions.

Very interesting. Thanks for posting this. 25hr service life seems really low. But I'm not familiar with jet engines that much, so I speak out of ignorance.

[Never Again 2]

At 21:58 22 October 2019, wrote:
>For the last month I have been flight testing the rebuilt ASW 27. The
>progr=
>am is going well and I am nearing completion of the required phase 1
>testin=
>g. I still have max gross weight, final spin testing and a tow test for
>com=
>pletion. So far I have only been able to self-launch since no towing is
>ava=
>ilable this late in the season. The twin turbines are working well and
>prov=
>ide a solid 600 fpm climb rate at these cooler fall temperatures. The
>steer=
>able tailwheel is also working well and provided good directional control
>d=
>uring takeoff and landing.=20
>
>Here is a link to a compilation of short clips from the flight test
>program=
>..=20
>
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DS_rFhN_abrQ
>
>Chris
>
Damn, the video link no longer works. Any chance of a new link, please?

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 4:58:19 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> For the last month I have been flight testing the rebuilt ASW 27. The program is going well and I am nearing completion of the required phase 1 testing. I still have max gross weight, final spin testing and a tow test for completion. So far I have only been able to self-launch since no towing is available this late in the season. The twin turbines are working well and provide a solid 600 fpm climb rate at these cooler fall temperatures. The steerable tailwheel is also working well and provided good directional control during takeoff and landing.
>
> Here is a link to a compilation of short clips from the flight test program.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_rFhN_abrQ
>
> Chris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_rFhN_abrQ

[Never Again 2]

At 13:46 24 October 2019, wrote:
>On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 4:58:19 PM UTC-5,
wrote:
>> For the last month I have been flight testing the rebuilt ASW 27. The
>pro=
>gram is going well and I am nearing completion of the required phase 1
>test=
>ing. I still have max gross weight, final spin testing and a tow test for
>c=
>ompletion. So far I have only been able to self-launch since no towing is
>a=
>vailable this late in the season. The twin turbines are working well and
>pr=
>ovide a solid 600 fpm climb rate at these cooler fall temperatures. The
>ste=
>erable tailwheel is also working well and provided good directional
>control=
> during takeoff and landing.=20
>>=20
>> Here is a link to a compilation of short clips from the flight test
>progr=
>am.=20
>>=20
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DS_rFhN_abrQ
>>=20
>> Chris
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DS_rFhN_abrQ
>
Says "video unavailable".

[Never Again 2]

Chris, maybe a link to your youtube channel instead?

[[email protected]]

Nice video. Welcome to the jet club. BTW, your canopy needs cleaning. Also, Bob Carlton and I have found that Windex easily removes the residue from jet exhaust on the tail. Use REAL Windex. Some of the off-brand blue glass cleaners won't do it.

[Edward Lockhart[_4_]]

At 14:36 24 October 2019, Never Again 2 wrote:
>At 13:46 24 October 2019, wrote:
>>On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 4:58:19 PM UTC-5,
>wrote:
>>> For the last month I have been flight testing the rebuilt ASW 27. The
>>pro=
>>gram is going well and I am nearing completion of the required phase 1
>>test=
>>ing. I still have max gross weight, final spin testing and a tow test
for
>>c=
>>ompletion. So far I have only been able to self-launch since no towing
is
>>a=
>>vailable this late in the season. The twin turbines are working well and
>>pr=
>>ovide a solid 600 fpm climb rate at these cooler fall temperatures. The
>>ste=
>>erable tailwheel is also working well and provided good directional
>>control=
>> during takeoff and landing.=20
>>>=20
>>> Here is a link to a compilation of short clips from the flight test
>>progr=
>>am.=20
>>>=20
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DS_rFhN_abrQ
>>>=20
>>> Chris
>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DS_rFhN_abrQ
>>
>Says "video unavailable".
>

gliderpilot.net mangles urls. Take out the "3D", should be
"v=S_rFhN_abrQ".
>

[Never Again 2]

>gliderpilot.net mangles urls. Take out the "3D", should b
>"v=S_rFhN_abrQ".
>>
That worked, thank you.

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

wrote on 10/24/2019 7:51 AM:
> Nice video. Welcome to the jet club. BTW, your canopy needs cleaning. Also, Bob
> Carlton and I have found that Windex easily removes the residue from jet
> exhaust on the tail. Use REAL Windex. Some of the off-brand blue glass cleaners
> won't do it.

I'd be concerned Windex would also remove the wax; instead, I suggest trying Nu
Finish polish, which does a great job of removing the Rotax 912 exhaust grime from
the belly of my Phoenix. It's liquid enough to apply, and leaves a wax coating
that makes it easier next time.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1

[Tony[_5_]]

That's really cool Chris! Will the glider be on display at the SSA Convention? I hope you talk about the project too, I'd love to hear about it.

[kinsell]

On 10/24/19 10:54 AM, Tony wrote:
> That's really cool Chris! Will the glider be on display at the SSA Convention? I hope you talk about the project too, I'd love to hear about it.
>


He gave a nice talk at the 2018 Reno convention. There were a
surprising number of jets on display on the convention floor. There's
pictures of those, plus some from Chris during his project on FB if you
have access, search for "auxiliarypoweredsailplaneassociation" is the
best way to find them.

[Bob Kuykendall]

I'm looking forward to seeing this in person. Chris's turbine-powered HP-18 is probably the best-looking HP glider I've ever seen, and his workship on the ASW is sure to be top-notch.

--Bob K.

[Tom BravoMike]

Seems a piece of cake for the Russians:

https://youtu.be/hghW_vD0UBg

Not exactly the same glider (AC-4) but a similar technology...

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 11:54:47 AM UTC-5, Tony wrote:
> That's really cool Chris! Will the glider be on display at the SSA Convention? I hope you talk about the project too, I'd love to hear about it.

Tony,

I hope to be at the SSA convention for possibly Thursday. We have a vacation conflict that prevents me from attending for all three days. I look forward to talking and catching up with you.

I have no plans to bring the glider.

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 4:48:04 PM UTC-5, Bob Kuykendall wrote:
> I'm looking forward to seeing this in person. Chris's turbine-powered HP-18 is probably the best-looking HP glider I've ever seen, and his workship on the ASW is sure to be top-notch.
>
> --Bob K.

Thanks Bob,

This pales in comparison to your design, development and build of your amazing HP24 project. It was tough enough to put this bird back together and add the turbines much less to start from scratch.

Chris

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 7:57:08 PM UTC-5, Tom BravoMike wrote:
> Seems a piece of cake for the Russians:
>
> https://youtu.be/hghW_vD0UBg
>
> Not exactly the same glider (AC-4) but a similar technology...

Thanks Tom,

I was unaware of the Russian developments. They are using the same engines as I have in the ASW 27 and my HP18.

Chris

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 11:32:59 AM UTC-5, Eric Greenwell wrote:
> wrote on 10/24/2019 7:51 AM:
> > Nice video. Welcome to the jet club. BTW, your canopy needs cleaning. Also, Bob
> > Carlton and I have found that Windex easily removes the residue from jet
> > exhaust on the tail. Use REAL Windex. Some of the off-brand blue glass cleaners
> > won't do it.
>
> I'd be concerned Windex would also remove the wax; instead, I suggest trying Nu
> Finish polish, which does a great job of removing the Rotax 912 exhaust grime from
> the belly of my Phoenix. It's liquid enough to apply, and leaves a wax coating
> that makes it easier next time.
>
> --
> Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
> - "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
> https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1

Thanks Mark and Eric for the tips for the degreasers. I have been searching for the right product.

Chris