*** Andy Steere's Gee Bee Y ***

First flight of my Gee Bee Y occurred on August 16, 2002. Very warm day (90F) with a 10-15mph wind from the south, directly down the runway. Everything went very well! The RCS140 seems happy, though still needs a bit of carb adjustment.

Click on the number below each image for a larger version of the picture (larger number, larger version of the picture)

1600 / 1024 / 640 - At the field, unload from truck.	1600 / 1024 / 640 - AFTER first flight...	1600 / 1024 / 640 - STILL LOOKING GOOD!

MOVIE CLIPS

(Choose a format to view by clicking on one of the two links provided. The native format for the video camera (Olympus C-700UZ) is Apple Quicktime MOV. This version will produce the best picture and sound possible, but the file sizes are large. The Microsoft AVI files were converted using Lead Multimedia Converter and while much smaller... their image quality suffers (a lot on some movies, very little on others). If you have trouble viewing these by directly clicking on the link, try right-clicking on the link, choose save to disk, and play the video ouside the browser. The MOV files require Apple Quicktime player or plugin, and the AVI files require Microsoft Windows Media Player or similar. The AVI files are converted using an Indeo video codec, if you have trouble viewing the video.)

This is the taxi test, Carl Johnson is the test-pilot (and that's me trying to control his excitement, elevated breathing, and shakey hands manning the camera). A bit windy today (10-15mph from the south). Ground handling is sure, except right at the transition point where the tailwheel is real light and ineffective, but the rudder hasn't really started flying yet. Pushing past that point seems to be the key. Probably won't need a gyro, though one might help a bit. Unknown to us, we lost the tailwheel during this taxi test... didn't seem to really make a huge difference.
160x120 - 62 seconds - (AVI 3.1MB) (MOV 4.0MB)

This is the take-off run. Very straight forward, no surprises. Engine is running great! Need to lean out the low end just a bit... as it sputters a little coming up on the throttle.
160x120 - 58 seconds - (AVI 1.7MB) (MOV 4.0MB)

A few laps around to see how she handles. Wind makes lots of noise when facing south.
160x120 - 56 seconds - (AVI 1.5MB) (MOV 3.9MB)

Carl slowed it down to see how it handled, and comes back around for pass down the runway. Flying GREAT! Could stand more power, but its not slow by any means. Currently turning the 16x8 prop at 8300-8400rpm... may still be a bit rich on the high side.
160x120 - 62 seconds - (AVI 1.7MB) (MOV 4.2MB)

Landing! Not before a go around pass though. We had heard that this plane slows down really fast coming off the power, so we wanted to make sure to leave some in... especially landing into a 10-15mph headwind. It slows down pretty quick, but left too much power in it and had to go around. Second landing attempt, and actual landing, went long... still wanted to fly! Handled the slow flight well, without tip stalling. Still had plenty of runway left, as it didn't need to roll very far before it had come to rest. PERFECT FLIGHT!
160x120 - 28 seconds - (AVI 2.5MB) (MOV 4.2MB)

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Last modified on 08/16/2002

since July 15, 2002.