We finally got the L-4 reassembled and I flew her today for the first time. The weather was lousy with thunderstorms all around and I had a pretty stiff choppy left crosswind (10/12 with gusts to 15). The 67 year old engine started on the first flip of the prop and was smooth as silk.
After the run up I taxied her down to the end of the runway, swung her in to the wind and hit the power. The tail instantly popped up due to the application of power and the stiff wind down the runway. The plane hardly used any runway before she lifted off maybe 200 ft or less.
Coming back in I had to land her on the left main with the left wing down quite a bit due to the stiff crosswind. We had the wing washout and aileron rigging dead on because she flew perfectly. Cubs feel so solid in the air and are so very gentle.
My friend Frank took these pictures as I lifted off and was climbing out. We had rain showers very near the airfield and after only one circuit I had to put her down and back in the hanger as the rain started again.
SteveView attachment 12948View attachment 12949
After the run up I taxied her down to the end of the runway, swung her in to the wind and hit the power. The tail instantly popped up due to the application of power and the stiff wind down the runway. The plane hardly used any runway before she lifted off maybe 200 ft or less.
Coming back in I had to land her on the left main with the left wing down quite a bit due to the stiff crosswind. We had the wing washout and aileron rigging dead on because she flew perfectly. Cubs feel so solid in the air and are so very gentle.
My friend Frank took these pictures as I lifted off and was climbing out. We had rain showers very near the airfield and after only one circuit I had to put her down and back in the hanger as the rain started again.
SteveView attachment 12948View attachment 12949
