Lee,
You are right. Big engine Thorps are not like the mouse motor ones. Don't get me wrong. I love N6CM. But N327SB is just another bird altogether. Below is an update I sent out today to a bunch of folks who love our new Thorp and have been tracking our progress. Its written from my perspective as opposed to my co-owner Brother Chris.
Chris Schultz did the maiden test flight on our new Thorp T-18 below last Friday, August 8th at around 9:30am at Corona Airport. We flew it most of last weekend and now have 4 to 5 hours on her. Chris was all smiles and pretty happy when he brought her back to the airport. It did have a little left rolling tendency at high speeds, so we put a temporary trim tab on the right aileron that solved that issue. We need to replace the top skin on the right aileron to take out the upward sweep in the trailing edge which was caused by the close-out riveting of the aileron at the trailing edge. Thats causing the rolling issue. But we can fly it for a while with the trim tab until we can do a permanent fix to the aileron.
I got to fly along next to Chris in our other small engine Thorp T-18 Saturday and the new bird just flat gets with the program. I could not keep up with that sucker. Chris took the airplane up to over 200mph with a RV-4 in chase and says its nice and smooth, but stick get stiff at high speeds.
I got to fly it Sunday and has a totally different feel than our other Thorp. Just another airplane altogether. You notice at taxi that this airplane is much heavier with fuel and two souls board. It really accelerates on take off and climb though. Very impressive. I think I said WOW three times on climb out. You just use little control inputs on this bird compared to our lighter Thorp. Much heavier stick and rudder feel. We need to install the trim system on the ailerons and rudder. That would make it a nice for trips I think. I brought it in a little faster than our other Thorp, but it sat right down and rolled out like the other Thorp.
Well, she is a paperweight and "Kiwi" no more. I am happy about that....and relieved after three years of effort and lots of checks.
If any of you guys want to see the airplane it will be flying most days out at Corona Airport. Call Brother Chris and make arrangements at (949) 322-5665 as I am still a working stiff. Chris is now retired and enjoying the new bird.
Thanks for all your help Lee!!
Brent Schultz
N6CM & N327SB
KAJO (Corona Airport, CA)
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