August 12, 2002
PAC 750XL Progress Report
Since our last report we have sort the assistance of Sean and Nadia Roberts of the National Test Pilot School, Mojave, California for advice on ensuring the 750 XL will qualify for the Part 23 certification. During Sean's visit of 5 days he flew 5 sorties and completed some 80 spins.
Sean identified some shortcomings that would compromise the certification. All of these were at the extremes of the envelope. For example - maximum all up weight - Aft C of G - Left Spin - right Aileron - power off.
This also identified that during recovery we exceeded the flap design speed.
We had identified that the ailerons were heavy and a new design was being built to obtain stick forces of less than 16 lbs.
Due to the flap speed accedence's we are increasing the strength of the flaps to account for the recovery speeds.
Sean also required the vertical surfaces to be increased. This has been achieved by increasing the size of the Fin and Rudder and incorporating a ventral fin.
We are planning to have these issues completed and the aircraft back in the air by the 9th September. We have arranged for Sean to return to NZ to carry out the certification flights pertaining to the Spinning and the Stability flights.
The balance of the flying will be completed by Phil Murray; majority of that flying is data gathering rather than qualifying the aircraft as Phil has completed most of that part of certification.
The only hold ups from there will be the weather. During the last 2 months little flying could be completed due inclement weather.
Regards
Philip Esdaile
Utility Aircraft Corporation
www.utilityaircraft.com
(530) 750-3226
(530) 754-7371 fax
e-mail info@utilityaircraft.com
