H-Model 50% JS1 -10.5m

[lenb]

Finally, after waiting nearly a year for the airplane to arrive in Canada and then another three months under assembly/construction, we are happy to be able to fly this giant thermal monster. My partner in the plane, Scot S, took on the assembly task and produced a spectacular equipment installation in a shop not much longer than a singe wing half.

This JS1 is fitted with an up and go 120mm EDF turbine unit. We're powering the EDF with 14s 6000mAh packs. We have determined we can get about three minute out of the packs, which is actually a long time when you're only using it to climb.


I'll post more detail soon, but here are some photos. We were fortunate to be able to maiden the plane at one of the nicest fields on the East Coast, Black Dirt, in Goshen NY.

The maiden was completely uneventful and the anding was a dream. After some minor adjustments and programming tweaks, we were in the air again. Circling at 80 ft for 15 minutes was really quite fun, then catching a thermal and riding it to 2000ft in less than 10 minutes. This is a crazy good flying airplane.

Thank you Scot, for all you have done and continue to do for this group, not to mention just what you have done for me.

[lenb]

[ARUP]

Fiberglass Overcast!

[Sinkhappens86]

Bigger flies better! Awesome job Len and Scot! Hopefully Conio will post the video here soon.

[lenb]

[lenb]

[stevekremer]

Amazing detail on that airplane!

[Parallax]

I'm curious Len; what is the orange line along the LE of the control surfaces?

[Stew2]

It is the removable backing on the double sided tape to hold the gap seals in place. Those pictures are before the gap seals have been installed. The backing is orange, the adhesive is clear.

[lenb]

The pilot for the JS1 was ordered last summer and arrived late in CT late in the fall. After arranging a hostage swap with Steve P, the 50% glider guider made its way to my shop. Since I try to be ahead of the world crisis situations, I placed a bag over his head and set him aside for a couple months. Finally it was time to let the gent climb aboard the sailplane.

Mission accomplished,

Thanks Bob M and Steve for the help getting the pilot to us.

Len

[BryanB]

Pretty nice!

[tewatson]

A 50% Axel might creep me out. I'd probably chain the canopy shut at night and hide all the steak knives. Ever see "Trilogy of Terror" in the 1970s?

[lenb]

Lol
No, but I did keep the plastic bag over his head until I was sure.

[pete914]

Absolutely superb! What's the AUW on this beast? It looks gorgeous in flight and the EDF install is pristine. Congratulations!

[lenb]

Hi Pete,
The plane weighs about 52lbs. Now if we can get out and fly it some more.

[Asher Carmichael]

Very nice. Cecil needs a functioning gradringer buckle😉