New Member

[Steven M]

I created an account a view months ago, but never introduced myself. My name is Steve Michaud and retired from the Air Force/Air Guard back in 2022. Got into tail wheel flying after building a Rans S-7S Courier. Flew the Rans for 10 years and decided to build the EX-3 for the added capabilities. I love the information on this site and the great info shared on Neil's YouTube channel too. Pics attached of the EX-3.

 

[Neal]

Welcome. Great to have you with us.

 

[TailwindsJJ]

I created an account a view months ago, but never introduced myself. My name is Steve Michaud and retired from the Air Force/Air Guard back in 2022. Got into tail wheel flying after building a Rans S-7S Courier. Flew the Rans for 10 years and decided to build the EX-3 for the added capabilities. I love the information on this site and the great info shared on Neil's YouTube channel too. Pics attached of the EX-3.

Steve hi
Tell me a bit about your phase 1 testing as I am in the end cards and hope to complete in a few more days. My biggest issue were getting to the heavy forward and heavy aft CG positions for some of the cards. Your EX3 looks great see my pics attached

I created an account a view months ago, but never introduced myself. My name is Steve Michaud and retired from the Air Force/Air Guard back in 2022. Got into tail wheel flying after building a Rans S-7S Courier. Flew the Rans for 10 years and decided to build the EX-3 for the added capabilities. I love the information on this site and the great info shared on Neil's YouTube channel too. Pics attached of the EX-3.

Steve hi
Would love to hear about your phase 1 testing and how that went - I completed my EX3 last July and just started flying it late May this year.
See pics attached

 

[Steven M]

Congrats on the completion. You have a gorgeous looking plane. Flight testing for my plane went fairly well with only some minor issues. One was having a high CHT on the #1 cylinder that turn out to be a dirty fuel injector. Imagine that on a brand new engine. Flight characteristics were outstanding with only a minor tweak to the rudder tab to center the ball.
The only thing different for me on flight testing the EX-3 compared to the Rans S-7S was attempting to properly break in a new engine while testing flight characteristics of your airplane. The Rotax 912 ULS powering the Rans had no break in period.
One recommendation I would make is to get your propeller balanced if not already done.
Again Congratulations!!
Steve

 

[TailwindsJJ]

Steve thanks for responding so promptly - I ran it in without any real flight testing and only began tests after about 8 hours of 75 to 85% power.
The only issue is using heavy aft without a passenger or complex ballast arrangement and the only ballast I am using is about 45 to 60 Lbs in the rear baggage area. I am impressed with the flying characteristics and with me alone in the plane with no ballast stalls will not happen - it just mushes along - I think I am going to leave 60lbs of “ballast” for all my flights.
Send me a message if ever you are in KACK
Best wishes
Julian

 

[Steven M]

Hi Julian,
We'll have to meet up with you sometime. You're not that far away. We make frequent trips to Hampton Field New Hampshire (7B3) for breakfast.