Just an opinion, but I think you’ll sell a lot more aircraft if you let Wasabi do the initial flight test. Having someone who doesn’t care if this thing gets off the ground or not is essential to safety. First thing that comes to mind is nasa. Nasa Management, “We need to launch this Challenger because of all the press coving this teacher.” A couple of nasa employees, “wait a minute, there’s an issue with launching with it being this cold outside!”. Nasa management, “stupid employees!! We know what we’re doing.” Peter, love you and love this aircraft, but don’t be the stupid nasa management. Spend the money and bring them back out. Do not fly this thing into ground effect. Let Wasabi do it with their emphasis on safety.
I mentioned on the Wasabi video that it’s not unusual for the developer and the test team to have differences of opinion. Hopefully, they can be worked out amicably and successfully and get this baby flying. I’d like to see Wasabi continue as a partner in this adventure. Their experience and thoroughness can only make this a better, safer aircraft for us all. They are only doing the job you asked them to do and they’ve been down this road before and have lived to tell about it. Kiss and make up and fly!
Thanks for the update! Watching the Wasabi video actually inspired more confidence in the plane, knowing how thoroughly everyone has gone thru all of the design and execution.
Looking great Peter. And thank you for allowing the Wasabi guys to post their video. They were open and truthful, and it was nice to see their side of things. Very much looking forward to seeing you and the Raptor floating along above that runway.
@@RaptorAircraft I didn't think any less of you one way or another after viewing their video.. Your single handing of a MASSIVE undertaking like this requires you to be you. All that matters now is safety. Numero uno. Best of luck going forward!
@@RaptorAircraft I agree with Silas, think no less of you. You are the heart and sole of this project, and there are thousands of people here just absolutely pumped to see this thing get flying. A lesser human without the mental fortitude you have, would have given up long ago.
@@RaptorAircraft - Yes, of cause, I deeply agree with You. And different to You I feel free and able to point it out: I didn't liked that they mentioned that "The owner is unwilling to make modification" - Second: "Did the whole job as one man show" - That rely doesn't happen following Your Vlog just form the beginning. Many people involved, also viewers a.s.o. I felt that they had to less confidence in Your build as it deserve. All problems that You had You dressed, deeply tracked down to the root cause, fixed it and tested the fix many times to be sure that the task can be closed. Second, I liked the deep examination of Raptor from them, also pointing out a different view of things. But, its only a different view from them but it doesn't mean that they are right on all points. And I missed that contentiousness from them that they also could be wrong in some judgements. I would like to say that they where overconscientious in there judgments and what they say, but too under-committed to bring the Raptor airborne. When I compare of what they are doing on Bowerspony with a heavy modified power plant I ask myself why they are not going into so many details as on Raptor. And Bowerspony looks like a rely crappy Aircraft showing every single test flight new, very serious and very scary problems. And the old once: Rootcause no tracked down, not deeply analyzed, believing that they are fixed, not testing there fix and then reapearing. Landing gear, Governor, leakages, gearbox, sealing, bearings, engine temp, and many more issues. Lastly a LOOSEN CONTROL STICK the middle of the flight! .... But no problem at all! Easy fix and smiling every time! So I asked myself why they showed so little confidence in Raptor? Aircraft looks good, very few issues and all old issues addressed. So why do they are not pushing the program ahead with there task, similar as You do since Years. I'm missing commitment from them!
@@sloth6765 But on Bowerspony they where? And so many scary issues on a much more conventional Aircraft? So, If they had been involved in this project right from the beginning may be better that they had not on RAPTOR letting Peter doing the Job to address all issues seriously.
Peter I watched Elliot's video explaining the airport diversion, we all understand the great pressure your under but mate, keep your cool as your nearing the end of this tunnel.
Peter, lots of Australians are with you, and I am one of them. And all dummy spits are bad and tunnel vision can well be fatal. It is all about the project not about any personality. Take a back seat for a day or two and enjoy the ride with another crew. Overall management will provide the reward you deserve. Ongoing professional advice will ensure your project's success.
Generally, less talking provides more information. It is interesting to hear how your attitude shifted when Wasabi test pilots airport change requirement became more important to you. Right now, the project does not lead luck, it needs your management direction. Your task is to provide that direction, not a technical attack of Wasabi input.
Can’t wait for your maiden! Very happy to see you hired the test pilots (had no idea that they’d go so in depth on your build and help with modifications). Very smart sir....there’s only one of you. Thank you for including us on your journey.
Peter. Good to see the Raptor under it's own power again. Now address the concerns Elliot had and get this test flight regime going. I know some questions from him will be difficult but not as difficult as answering questions of potential/actual customers. First of all be safe.
All of their to do list concerns had been addressed already that last Wednesday. The runway was always referred to as a concern but never a must do, until then. So I fixed that as well by moving. But now that I have more runway, I'm comfortable with more testing on my own before potentially bringing in a test pilot again if I feel it's necessary.
I’m not a GA pilot Peter, my experience is engineering, project management and RC model flying. After reading your comments , you intend to get RAPTOR into ground effect yourself and then make a call on how to proceed. To me, the risk profile of flight testing is very different to the design and build phase of the project. The dilemma you’re facing is the severity of the event that makes you uncomfortable to proceed further , and it’s consequences. Teaching yourself to be a test pilot seems like a very risky undertaking for the project. I’m happy to make another financial donation if cost is driving your thinking on this issue. Good luck from Brisbane.
@@hootche1 I don't think a lot of people are losing interest. I think a lot of people are concerned that the test flight be done in a way that inspires confidence in the aircraft, not concern. An independent third party validation of this concept would go far in making it saleable.
Agreed. Aircraft test flights require a very specific skill set, and just thinking "it's fine, I can do it" is not going to cut it. Perhaps if it's your own plane, your own funding, but when you're working on an aircraft with significant financial interest from investors, you owe it to those investors to utilize professional flight testing to a) minimize the risk of airframe loss should an unexpected event or behavior emerge, and b) identify from an engineering standpoint those items which need to be of concern. Wasabi has already done the latter for you, several times now. I think this needs to be looked at from a purely technical, scientific sense, omitting any influence that ego or feelings may have on that decision. I am a pilot, with significant experience and ratings. I would never attempt to test fly an aircraft, even one I had engineered and was intimately familiar with. I would hire a professional.
Agree. I'm building a Cozy IV. If you were building a Long EZ, Velocity, Cozy, RV or other already proven design, I'd say proceed with discipline and caution and you can do it yourself. In this case you're testing an unproven design...give it to a professional test pilot! I think trying to fly and keep it in ground effect is more dangerous than you think.
Peter you’re hearing allot of feed back from everyone following your progress. As you know taking an unproven aircraft design along with an unproven power plant design brings a tremendous amount of risk that each element needs to be tested professionally. Step by step and rushing any phase of the testing can bring catastrophic consequences. You have lowered some of the risk by changing airfields and increasing you ground platform. I know your eager and you currently have the most experience with handling the Raptor aircraft to this point, but do you have the test support while performing the ground runs on the runway other than the videos being recorded? You know anything can happen I just hope there’s eyes on your testing to report any sightings from an exterior position with a direct com to you? Please be careful while holding the nose of your aircraft on the runway and I hope the tower personnel are helping you along through your trials. We’re here if you need us and there are allot of us with flight test experience. Just let us know and we would help.
You got me. I was thinking 8000 ft of attitude goodness. Great to see the progress. Thanks for running the most open design and prototype aircraft development program in the history of aviation.
Peter, Congratulations on the move as it was the smart thing to do. Watching the progress from day 1 and having a deposit in place I will be very disappointed if Wasabi doesn’t finish the initial test flying and bring you upto speed flying the machine. These guys know what they are doing and are highly recommended from an Australian military active test pilot. These guys aren’t paid for what you want to hear, they are paid to make professional decisions based on objective facts. You’ve came this far, get your new CofA and get Justine and Elliot back ASAP so we can watch this beauty fly. If you need more cash, I’m sure everyone will put their hands in their pockets to see this through.
Damn, saw the title and thought it leapt into the air up to 8000 feet :) Great to see everything back on track. Good Luck and stay safe, hope to see these flying in Australia one day.
Changing airfields was a GREAT call. I agree with others that if this was a proven air frame and power plant combination KCNI might have been sufficient. The only thing Wasabi has done for you is make the Raptor a safer airplane. Nobody likes their "child" scrutinized, but sometimes the little bastards just need a good spank. Keep the chin up and be happy for the constructive criticism. I'm a 15,000+ hr (quit keeping a logbook a long time ago except for GA time) GA and Airline pilot and IMHO you would be foolish to not have Wasabi see this test program through at least the initial stages. Take care bro. Cheers!
Peter, I've been following this from the start and sincerely respect your talent, drive and determination as a team leader and project manager to get to this point. Yes, it has been a team effort to date. The principle aerodynamics designer, the build team, mech mod / welder, the deposit investors and the numerous RU-vid subscribers who contributed cash earlier this year. No team is ever perfect, but going forward, please use the Wasabi as part of your project team. There is too much at stake to allow egos or even a lack of cash to prevent you from using a professional test pilot team for the next critical phase. We are all adult here so i'm sure its not an ego issue. If it's a cash issue, I'd be wiling (like before) to contribute to a test phase kitty. Please reconsider.
Agreed. Aircraft test flights require a very specific skill set, and just thinking "it's fine, I can do it" is not going to cut it. Perhaps if it's your own plane, your own funding, but when you're working on an aircraft with significant financial interest from investors, you owe it to those investors to utilize professional flight testing to a) minimize the risk of airframe loss should an unexpected event or behavior emerge, and b) identify from an engineering standpoint those items which need to be of concern. Wasabi has already done the latter for you, several times now. I think this needs to be looked at from a purely technical, scientific sense, omitting any influence that ego or feelings may have on that decision. I am a pilot, with significant experience and ratings. I would never attempt to test fly an aircraft, even one I had engineered and was intimately familiar with. I would hire a professional.
I know I wouldn't buy an aircraft that was test flown exclusively by this guy. Seems like a no-brainer to have a pro test fly and provide feedback. But it seems your ego might be getting in the way of that.
Trust but Verify. IF it's not safe...IT'S NOT SAFE. Please don't take any chances. You waited this long and came a long way. Success is measured in small increments, not large failures. Good luck and God Bless!
BTW and complete unrelated: I guess you've already noticed that you've doing so much taxiing on Cherokee Airport that the raptor is visible twice on Google maps :))
30kts x distance remaining board is a great slowdown rate technique for most aircraft. This longer runway is a great idea and my pulse has since dropped from the end of your high speed runs at Cherokee County. Keep it up Peter, it was tough call to make, but another great call to get to Valdosta. Don’t let tunnel vision keep you from reaching the goal. The outside inputs from Wasabi have helped you along the way, keep their insights/recommendations in your program. We all want to see you succeed. #498
@@RaptorAircraft I'm curious if you incorporated calculations for distance while in ground effect? 90 kts is a good bit above stall speed. Please be careful. You're close. Wanna see you succeed.
I have been following for a short amount of time, I get excited when I see an update. I have to say I appreciate all your hard work. I couldn’t imagine doing what you are doing. Filming this series alone is more work and stress than I can handle right now. Let’s not even talk about building the airplane. Video quality is great. The airplane is amazing. Keep up the great work
Good going Peter! Best of luck in the next steps of development! I do hope Wasabi is still in the game too. I do not have any doubts on your capabilities. However, I do think it is valuable to make use of there fast experience and the 4 eyes principal of quality assurance. There is an African proverb: “If you want to travel fast, then walk alone. If you want to travel far, then walk together.” Please let your community now if we need to do another donation round, if so, count me in!
Peter.....I know that YOU may feel comfortable in flying raptor, but prospective buyers likely won't be without a professional flight test being done to verify the aircraft. I know that I personally wouldn't buy an aircraft that test pilots refused to fly....
As a mechanical engineer, the only thing that worries me is the winshield size and design for a pressurized cabin. But the design and level of achievement is impressive for a software designer who decided to build his own plane. Beautiful aircraft.
Respectfully... Did you not trust Mark with the numbers? Did you not trust Brett/Britt with the welding? Did you not trust three or four others with the layup? You trusted others with the ECU, brakes, engine, turbo, correct? Respectfully, I think you need someone to sytematically NOT trust anything, well, that and exercise the plane, and get it in the air. RU-vid and viewers are making things hard on both your test pilot and yourself. I hope you work this out--without our "help". We'll still be here. We'll expect a full report, but not right now.
I hope and pray that you will be successful. I've been following you since the first time I came across your channel when you were still working on the wings etc. If there is anybody deserving of success it is you.
Hi Peter. It is great to see you getting familiar with the expansive real estate at the Valdosta airport. May I suggest checking the differential brake temperature with a handheld laser unit, which will tell you whether the right side is dragging or not. I imagine you hopping out to do this at the end of the runway if there is a holding area, but if for some reason you are unable to because of the airport rules, I don’t have a solution. I was wondering whether your brake calipers feature adjustable pistons that screw-in & out because I’ve seen them dragging in similar automotive & motorcycle applications? If nothing else works, I’d recommend measuring the brake system clearances/tolerances using at the very least a feeler gauge, and confirm those pistons are fully retracting. When will your test pilot team be returning to literally take the Raptor to the next level? I hope they have already found all of the roadblocks they ever will and we can all witness first flight soon.
I just want to say that I am looking forward to seeing Raptor fly, as I'm sure we all are. It's been quite the journey for sure, glad I've been around to see it get to here! Go Raptor! Soon(tm)!
One of the things mentioned in the video from Wasabi was that the build might be different than the original design. IF this is the case, please "close the loop" by having the build analysed by a computer before you fly it. Or have a test pilot fly the vehicle. Preferably both. To test-fly something (without significant test-pilot) experience that has no mathematical foundationmakes me really really nervous. Please don't become a statistic.
The build was not different from the original design. The original design was modified slightly from the scale model by increasing the size of the fore plane but all the engineering and analysis was done using that new dimension. Nothing changed since then. Another case of those guys getting their wires crossed.
@@RaptorAircraftas a dev I know you realize an independent QA is important yet it must be frustrating to get late feedback with random "coverage". It would be nice if QA had a structured outline and be able to provide some of the feedback earlier and in a more cost effective way. Also it appears their hesitation to be frank or thorough cost your program time and money (wrt no go on Cherokee). In short, there should be some project structure that they or someone brings to reduce this churn.
I don’t know. For some reason I never liked the gear integrity. It seems the whole system it’s just not that solid and today looking at the front tire it was somewhat vibrating and moving side to side within the forks. It might be just me.
Based on some of the comments made against Wasabi on "I'm making the call" it's not surprising Wasabi made their video. I can understand Peter's frustrations having to make major changes out of sequence, so the big lesson I'm taking from this is to develop a good relationship with your test crew early in the design. They need to be comfortable as well.
You can forget about chartering a Raptor. It’ll be certified in the Experimental category and won’t be able to be put on a Part 135 charter certificate and flown for hire. You’re going to have to built your own or fly with a friend who has one and share fuel cost.😁
Keep it up, Peter! In the home stretch now. Those guys may be making your life difficult right now, but ultimately its in your best interest to grin and bear it.
@@RaptorAircraft Being comfortable is a feeling. It is not interchangeable with being experienced test flying an aircraft. This language is not good for public relations. It's adding to the perception that you are letting your ego get in the way of being a thorough and rational designer. Perception is reality even if it's not true. Wasabi is well respected in the community. Be very careful how you respond to their advice. Please feel free to remove this comment. I'm honestly just trying to be helpful. PR is very important. You might want to have someone take a look at that side of things as well. Cheers.
Great to see you testing again in the new airport environment. When the time comes, let her fly off gently. Extra mph are just energy in your "bank." Ground effect affects different air frames differently and canard aircraft, specifically. You only need to get half your wingspan high to get into undisturbed air. I know you have already but, plans for emergency returns to the airport can be a life saver. When you get airborne on that first flight, consider a teardrop departure (30 degree off runway heading to the left) on climb out to assess cooling and power. That way, if you are high enough, you could execute an immediate opposite direction return, turning right which keeps the airport on your side, and in view. With 8000 feet of runway plus over run, getting her on the ground even with a tailwind would be a minor issue. Also, God forbid some kind of PIO starts, remember to FREEZE your inputs until it abates. You may have to trim a little nose down and hold the nose up (or vice versa), if the PIO is in the linkage. Have you done a gear swing since re-assembling it? Have you thought about a door opening in flight? Any "temporary" back-up latch (rope) you could add just as a CYA to ensure the door latch mechanisms will hold under airframe flexing until you get some time under flight loads? One last addition: The nose wheel looks like its starting a shimmy. Are you experiencing anything in the rudder pedals? You have done a BEAUTIFUL job on this design and build and I know the first flight will be a sweet one with few issues. Enough un-solicited advice from the peanut galley. God bless and Good Luck. We are all rooting for you.
If it’s a money issue to get them back will throw some your way to assist you with that. If it keeps you alive... you will be selling this aircraft to the public which these tests are one more positive for this aircraft. The testing by Elliott It is a Inexpensive second opinion and review. You have come along way few can say that. I personally would love to see this plane in the history book with a fantastic history.
Hi Peter, Thanks for the ride. The runway and taxiways look nice and smooth. Now you have room for much smoother transitions while testing. The surrounding airport environment looks more inviting with no ditches close to the runway. Have you been in another airplane flying around Valdosta yet?
When I saw the title, I thought this would be about Wasabi taking it up to 8,000 ft, that actual flight testing was progressing. Then I watched the video. Okay, the 8k was horizontal and Wasabi is nowhere in sight. Then I read the comments and was disappointed to see the obvious butthurt, and the lack of commitment to professional testing clearly expressed. I see you've got enthusiastic fans and even investors who have slapped down money to actually buy a kit once you've proven the design. I see a lot of genuine concern for your safety, often expressed almost meekly. They seem to know that you're easily butthurt, too. (That's not a good sign, by the way) There are also quite a few who are ready to enthusiastically co-sign your bullshit. You've got something in common with them. None of them have run a flight test program, either. Glad to see that all of the squawks were addressed as of Wednesday. But if they hadn't gone over your plane, you wouldn't have ever realized that some were squawks. You'd have flown it the way it was and perhaps had a nasty outcome. Like a stuck rudder pedal. You were not concerned about the stops at all. You'd not have fixed that. Some you were aware of, but there were a few that you really didn't think were problems... but they ARE. I watched Wasabi's video, too. I didn't think them unkind. Actually, the sounded quite diplomatic. Your response to the comment regarding them says so much more than you know. From the title, to your butthurt, to your unwillingness to commit to professional testing, this video (and your comment) was a huge disappointment. I have learned too much about you to ever trust your aircraft unless it is thoroughly vetted by someone other than you. You don't know enough to know when to be comfortable, and you don't appear to understand the concept of thoroughly and systematically validating the envelope for your aircraft. Sadly, I don't hold much hope that you'll do the right thing. The reason will be sheer and utter childishness, because that's the VERY strong vibe you're putting off. And it's off-putting. I'm not personally invested in your project. It could be cool, but there's so much half-assery that it is just a disappointment. I thought we might have the next Rutan on our hands. That would have been cool. Would have been awesome. But you've convinced this observer that you're not that guy. I'm disappointed that you're not the next Rutan. Guess the world will have to wait a little longer for that. He or she will come along. Apparently not now though. I've spent too much of my life around grown men to treat you like a child. Grow the hell up and get the help your project... and EVERY pilot who would ever fly it... deserves. Get your flight envelope validated by professionals. Your half-assing may not kill you. But you'll put out inaccurate or incomplete information and someone else will die because of it. All because you're thin-skinned. Example would be the idle/air conditioning issue that only you knew how to handle. Incomplete information. What if that hadn't come up until power-off stall testing? It would become a parachute test. No jumper cables in the sky, mate. That was an issue that you actually knew existed. We've already seen that you are willing to try to fly with a loose wing skin because YOU don't THINK it could separate in flight. You were truly resentful about fixing that. Literally complained about it. Perfect example. I'm not losing interest because I'm bored with the pace of your taxi tests. I'm losing interest because you're dangerously arrogant, un-teachable and childishly thin skinned. I'm over it. Watching blancolirio interpret the NTSB report on your smoking hole will not surprise me. Just like in combat, when you realize someone is a fatality waiting to happen, you just quit caring so much. It makes sorting the body parts less emotionally taxing. If it's not you but one of your customers, this video series will be used by the family in the lawsuit that will inevitably follow, and it's damning. Good luck. You really need it. Or... put your big boy pants on, grow some humility and get the job done right. Right now, this project is a smoking hole looking for a place to happen. You can fix that. Only you, actually. But hey; it's your plane. Do what you want.
Peter; WHY do you bother to keep noting GS or GPS speed, this is an aircraft. If the pitot has no leaks it is good "AIRSPEED" is the only thing that counts. 🤔🤔 And keep info in Knots thanks. What's the time from breaks release to 75 Knots with normal power feed in, not stol stakeoff
Heads up, sounded like that tower controller was telling you to ‘turn left when able _HOLD SHORT_ taxiway alpha’. Controllers at my home airport will jump on your back and threaten you with a violation for blundering out onto the taxiway after hearing that. Technically you should cross the runway hold short line but stop short of turning onto the taxiway and call ground for clearance. Seems like these folks are a little more relaxed.
I believe the one controller was wearing a mask and so I was having a bit of difficulty understanding her calls. But yes, it's been awhile for me operating at a towered airport. And there are instructors and students in the tower.
Haha yes. There’s one particular controller who is _renowned_ for telling folks to advise when ready to copy a phone #. He full on berated me for this very thing so the video may have triggered my PTSD ;) Congrats on the progress Peter, looks like this is gonna be a great place for the test program!
A very pleasant video, Sir. I enjoyed it a great deal. Next time around would you mind bringing me some popcorn and a soda during the intermission. Great job!
When they give you the 180 permission, it isn't to taxi off on to the taxiway and around, just turn around on the runway. Also, don't switch up your callsign usage from your previous testing... Stick with 2TD... And you should be adding "Experimental" to it when talking to a control tower.
@@samnozik6659 And yet, it caused confusion with the controllers. Guess that isn't working out, unless the "special arrangement" is to be called Raptor8L
@@ryanthomas2472 I never commented on whether or not it was a good idea. I'm merely stating a fact that he clearly made an arrangement with the controllers.
There are plenty of aircraft designers with adequate flight experience that do their own maiden flights. And you don't just open the throttle and point it at the sky, and I am sure Peter would have the right attitude and methodology to get it done safely. Having said that, as the aircraft is not a one-off and the intention is to get it to production, I would be wanting the input of a pilot experienced with several types with similar flight envelopes to get an objective opinion on the aircraft's handling and performance. If you are going to get that sort of input you might as well get a pilot with a good reputation to do the flight testing which also adds credibility to the brand.
Initial check-in without an identity "at Lima", and controllers refer to you for the entire video as 8-Lima. Not a single time your identified yourself with the correct actual N-number but just as "RAPTOR"? You should have someone checking brake temps after each run. So many possibilities for this to end badly without Wasabi involved.
My plan is to see if I can comfortably take it into ground effect. After that is determined I'll figure out the next step. However, I can't do anything until I have the updated airworthiness certificate.
@@transsib I have submitted the amendment application a week ago and I'm still waiting for it to be assigned to an inspector who will assign the DAR. Sounds simple enough. It's just assigning a person at this point.
Actually full elevator deflection to create drag while slight braking on the mains to keep the nose down. Generally I only pull full elevator below 60 knots because I know from testing that the nose will not lift at that speed.
Peter I noted your answer to continued testing and am very confident that should you continue to apply the same level of professionalism to the test flying that you have applied to this aircraft and its programme to this point, you will be very successful. As for Wasabi, I saw their video and feel that if they continue to give anymore of their over professional grief, you need to cut them loose.
Peter I agree with your approach. You are the most qualified in the craft to continue high speed testing and ground effect testing. If there are any issues hopefully they will appear before future trips by Wasabi.
Peter, I noticed that you're not using the "experimental" call sign, you've switch to the Raptor call sign. That sounds much better. We're all looking forward to seeing it get off the ground, although I agree with some other comments that beyond the ground effect testing you might want to utilize the test pilots that you had been working with.
I have dialed back the power to keep the lambda above 1 which mostly removed any smoke. But if you roll into the throttle too quickly you can still get some black smoke because the boost in the turbo has not built enough yet to provide enough air for the incoming fuel. And so you get smoke.
It makes a lot of sense to have Wasabi do the first flight. It's not safe to do it yourself, even if it feels comfortable. You simply don't know what you don't know. Another test team will want to go through the whole process again.
Left seat if flying a left traffic pattern, which is nearly always, but right seat because I'm right handed and I have better motor control with my right hand on the stick.
I had to have the radio higher so I can hear the controller. They're wearing masks which is muffling their audio. If I turn the gain down on the recorder you'll barely hear my voice.
Well, according to our updated calculations, at 93 knots the fore plane should begin to fly on it's own even with a neutral elevator. Once the ship rotates even 2 degrees the main wing will have enough lift to get airborne. So technically at that speed you shouldn't even need to rotate. Now the last time I did it I got the nose to 8 degrees. That was a bit high and close to a potential prop strike but when the nose goes that high the main wing lifts the aircraft from the ground before there's even a chance of the prop striking. So it's like a built in safety.
diGritz1 “The 1997 plane crash that killed singer/songwriter John Denver was caused by Denver's failure to refuel his experimental aircraft and by his lack of training, the National Transportation Safety Board has ruled. Safety investigators from the organization said Tuesday that Denver probably was trying to manipulate a hard-to-reach handle controlling fuel flow when he lost control of the aircraft, according to the Reuters news service. The plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on Oct. 12, 1997.” I guess both canard and non-canard single engine planes can’t fly for long without fuel.
@@dreamcreator2552 I saw a video, where the guy that did his pre-buy inspection, told him he needed to move the fuel selector before flying. I may have this wrong, but my understanding it was located over his left or right shoulder, which made it hard to reach. His decision not to refuel and not being able to switch tanks caused this accident.
When you have a channel about an airplane that viewers have been waiting months to see fly and you post a thumbnail that has 8000ft in it no one thinks runway length. THAT IS CLICK BATE!
My bad. Honestly didn't even cross my mind. Viewers to earlier videos new I was moving to an airport with a longer runway so there was context for them.
Peter this airport looks much better for testing. Looking at this video, wasabi's video and reading some of your replies here in the comments, would indicate there are trust issues between the design team (you) and the flight test team (wasabi). I applaud your decision to do the initial ground effect flight testing yourself. You have proven to me that you can do what you put your mind to. But I think to myself is this the best use of your talents for this project. I would like to see Raptor take to the air so I can have one of my own some day. If there are unknown issues that cause damage to the aircraft or it's test pilot, it would be best if you were safe on the ground. Because it will be you that will need to make repairs and corrections to any problems for the next flight test. So my suggestion is to get a test pilot (wasabi is fine if you can still work with them) but better yet, see if you can get a velocity test pilot, someone that already knows how a canard aircraft is suppose to feel and fly. I know you want to be in Raptor and fly her into the sky but for the sake of the project and all of the production airplanes to come, please stay on the ground to keep the Raptor project going. I'd hate to see this amazing aircraft project die on the vine because you are in the hospital, or worse.
Elliot was a design engineer, flight test engineer, and test pilot for Burt Rutan, and Scaled Composites, He also was lead test pilot for Mooney. Go ahead and try and find someone who knows more about Canards. Do a bit of reading before slagging, and trying to make him sound like a numbnuts.
@@AV8R3 There was no slagging in my post, no where did I make him sound like a numbnuts, apparently you read your own thoughts into my words. I see you found the wasabi team page (since you quoted it almost verbatim) of their web site (www.wasabiaero.com/contact-us-ii) as I did many months ago along with watching over 15 hours of team wasabi RU-vid videos, so I have done a bit of research. Apparently you and team wasabi have something in common, as Peter would say you must have your wires crossed. Elliot Seguin (you know the guy with all the canard experience) is not the test pilot for the Raptor. The test pilot is the other half of team wasabi, Justin Gillen. If you look at Justin's bio I don't see anything that would indicate he has experience in any canard airplanes. In addition in all the team wasabi RU-vid videos I found, Elliot was flying the airplane being tested and Justin was in the chase plane. For testing the Raptor the roles have been reversed, and I'm not sure why. I would think that if Elliot has so much experience with these types of aircraft while working for Burt Rutan then he would be in the Raptor as test pilot instead of Justin. I have nothing against Justin, I'm just not sure he is the right wasabi test pilot to test fly the Raptor. As I said in my original post, based on the Raptor and wasabi videos along with the posted comments and replies, it is apparent that relations are strained. I don't know if they are to the point where Peter doesn't want to engage team wasabi again, but if it is, my suggestion stands (read my original post above).
Yeah, so they said I can use Raptor for my call sign but I was omitting my numbers. If you listen to my first call I said 'Raptor at Lima' which was the intersection I was on at the ramp. They thought that was my numbers and continued to use that. Tomorrow I'll be saying Raptor two tango delta.
These "Wasabi" guys really went their way with the last comments about peter and even ventilating private conversations. You may have all the opinions you want about a person, but making them public in that way was totally inappropriate and unnecessary. I always thought these guys were weird, and their attitude in their last video really talks more about themselves than about peter. Not even taking into consideration that peter is a client! Which also is paying them to do a flight test "program", not to make a scandal show. Filming him while they tell him that they don't like the airport, and all the gossip before and after, come on! What are they, 15?.
The Raptor "following" has beaten up relentlessly on Wasabi. Peter gave them a green light to present their documentation of the program and now we have a "he said/she said" perspective. Who do you believe? Wasabi's credentials are significant and not to be taken lightly. I hope Peter puts aside what he considers a personal affront and allows his dream to fly in capable hands.
Forget about who is right or wrong, it doesn't matter. Even if they were (supposedly) right, it was just improper, unprofessional, and a little bit childish if you ask me.
The size of the glands on the Wright brothers in comparison to today's men is disheartening to say the least! No fluid dynamics back then, no scale flying models, no previous knowledge on flight.. yet, they gave it a shot. Wasabi, either you can, or cannot do it, dont hide behind professionalism, it's a prototype, it's not going to cruise the Americas tomorrow - all short term reliabilities are met by the taxi testing carried out so far.
@@ryanthomas2472 90knotts max for first flight plus a parachute seems fine. Besides, imagine the chance of stalling or ground looping at 26knotts and a grassy field. What came first, the chicken or the egg?
@@ryanthomas2472 why would the engine quit at 200ft when he has done 5000ft multiple times and now will do 8000ft multiple times. I just dont see the thing falling out the sky, maybe handling issues but nothing an aware caffeinated mind cant handle for a few minutes. Risk reward babbbbbbay. I think the move to another runway is a good call. But damn, breaking in a horse will be as risky at some point. I do understand your end of the safety spectrum. But for me, risk reward for me has been met now that they have 8000ft of opportunity infront of them. Either way, between this and scrappy, I guess I'm impatient, but I wouldn't say it would be reckless at this point.
