Carden Aircraft

I finally got the opportunity to test fly the 126" Edge. First of all I would like to congratulate you on another successful model. The 126" Edge 540 has taken the next step in flight performance. Comparing the 126" Edge to my previous 118" Edge, I can feel a definite step up in smoothness on the overall flight characteristics. Now on to the test flight.

The Edge was fueled and fired up. I had not run the engine as yet so a little carb adjusting was needed. With the DA-170 running good I taxied onto the runway. By the way, the DA 170 is a rocket on the Edge. The ground handling was good so the throttle was advanced and the Edge was airborne in about 30'. A few clicks of down trim was all that was needed for level flight. After climbing to a comfortable altitude I proceeded to check out the handling. I could tell immediately that it was on the tail heavy side. It was nothing to to worry about as it was rock solid but sensitive on elevator. I performed a CG test of a 45 inverted up-line and it just continued to climb up and out of sight instead of arcing over slightly and leveling off (another sign of tail heavy). I continued the flight and put it through some aerobatics. The snaps were good but a little aggressive being tail heavy. Rolls, loops, stall turns all good. I took her up to check out flat spins. Upright and inverted flat spins were both dead flat and descent was like a leaf performed at just over an idle. If I would increase throttle, I could almost stop the descent and continue the rotation. Release the rudder and she would stop rotating and fly straight out. I set her up for a little harrier flight and she locked in rock solid with NO wing rock. I didn't harrier for long with a new engine so onto a tumble. With the Edge tuned nose up and with full down elevator she flips tail over nose as if held at wing tips. Waterfalls also with ease.

It was about time for landing so I set up the landing descent. Here again I could feel the tail heavy condition. She didn't want to sink but slowed and hung there. I had to push down stick to get it to come in (I am not comfortable pushing down on landing). Touch down was smooth and gentle. We checked everything over and all was good to go and I put on three more flights as it was.

The CG had been set at the recommendation from Dennis as a starting point. I do feel that it was past the rearward recommended limit so I moved the CG forward from 7.25" back from LE at tip to the new location of 6.75" back. We took the Edge out for a second round of flight test with new CG. It made a big difference in the feel of the plane. It was no longer sensitive and handled even better than it did on the initial flights. At the new CG setting the Edge will be an awesome 3D machine and could also fly precision with a little lower throw on your duel rates. It was a cold morning here and the wind was picking up so I only put on one full flight but will be leaving it set up just as it is for my style flying.