I haven't done much with the airplane lately partly due to weather. I am working on a couple of projects to update it. Mainly seat cushions. They will be nothing but they should work well. This felt great to get out to the hangar to putter around a bit.
Update: A couple of days ago I flew 625MS to an airport just south of home base to have an exhaust valve / guide looked at. It has not been an issue as far as I know but better safe than...you know. Also, I plan to repaint my steed as well as replace the windshield and also the door glass though the door glass may be later in the summer. Will reinstall the RV wheel pants as well. That will probably be enough on 5MS for the year.
Hi Doran, Excellent overview of your Tailwind. Great data on performance. My experience is very close to yours. I finally have my Tailwind flying-up to 12 hours as of yesterday. Talk about sensitive......I almost did a wing over on takeoff when starting a turn. I just use the rudder for turns and leave the stick centered. Still working thru the detail on mine but the engine is fantastic, the temps are right where they should be. Only issue so far is the cruise number. Max so far is 140. I have to streamline my cowl. Next project after the 40 hours.
I use aileron and rudder for all turns and inputs. Very little of each.. When I'm flying solo the nose is a little heavy with the trim full back on final approach but add a passenger and everything changes to a more normal feel. I joking will say but yet half serious that it took me about 10 hours to realize I wasn't going to crash it and about another 25 hours after that to start becoming friends with it. A 150 hours later hours later and I am pretty convinced that's a pretty good flying partner. I may change up eventually and I mean very eventually into a 135 horsepower range but I would have to check to make sure that the added weight doesn't offset the added value of the horsepower. As I said in the video I am comfortable and very happy with the performance. Your cruise is better than mine at this point but that It doesn't surprise me because mine does need some streamlining. Not sure how far I will actually go with that. Maybe some cuffs around the struts and some wheel pant farings.
Thanks Doran, great video and good info for those building, It's sad that I don't have my 40 hrs flown off yet but love every bit of the 26 hrs I have put in so far, this is one of the easiest planes I have flown outside of the cessna's and pipers. It is sensitive but I flew it first time with no problem and was a low time pilot. followed a lot of your pics on the Wittman forum and looks like you sure are enjoying yours.
I am enjoying it without a doubt. Putting up a hangar at Y91. The structure is up and now for closing it in. The wx here in Michigan has not been the greatest for aviating lately but still manage to get time in here and there. Good to hear from you.
Just another quick update. I have very recently installed RV wheel pants and am in the process of installing a spinner from UHS Spinners. Rough with no holes drilled or trimming done. This will be a completely new unit made from fiberglass and carbon fiber. The backing plate is trimmed, finished and ready for drilling. The spinner is in the final stages of finishing and should soon be ready for drilling and mounting. Planning to order gear leg fairings and plan to install a new windshield as well. All before early Spring I hope.
Awesome review! I have been interested in tailwinds for a long time. Would love to have one some day. If you ever get over to south East North Dakota let me know, I’d love to check out yours in person
That gives my wife and I a place to go. Thank you for the compliment. I would have been more comfortable without the noise in the background but I'm glad you enjoyed it. Feel free to email me at doranjaffas@gmail.com
Hi Doran, very helpful video thanks. I also have a centre stick and throttle slightly to the left in my W8. Do you have any plans/drawings for the new control sticks you fitted, or know where one can be purchase from? Many thanks Alan
To be honest I do not. I took some rough measurementsIt's and a really rough sketch to a local welder and had him do it. Told him it didn't really matter how much it weighed because it wasn't going to make any real difference. Just used regular mild steel with about a 1/16th wall I believe. Weighs maybe 3 lbs but it's overbuilt. I will take some pictures and send them if you'd like. doranjaffas@gmail.com
Excellent. Thanks for the review. These are so underrated IMO.
N625MS is back home. Running beautifully. Changing out the spinner as well as other things. It felt great to fly again.
I haven't done much with the airplane lately partly due to weather. I am working on a couple of projects to update it. Mainly seat cushions. They will be nothing but they should work well. This felt great to get out to the hangar to putter around a bit.
I may be purchasing a W8 soon. Think it would be good? Hoping to use it to get my commercial in
Update:
A couple of days ago I flew 625MS to an airport just south of home base to have an exhaust valve / guide looked at. It has not been an issue as far as I know but better safe than...you know. Also, I plan to repaint my steed as well as replace the windshield and also the door glass though the door glass may be later in the summer. Will reinstall the RV wheel pants as well. That will probably be enough on 5MS for the year.
Hi Doran, Excellent overview of your Tailwind. Great data on performance. My experience is very close to yours. I finally have my Tailwind flying-up to 12 hours as of yesterday. Talk about sensitive......I almost did a wing over on takeoff when starting a turn. I just use the rudder for turns and leave the stick centered. Still working thru the detail on mine but the engine is fantastic, the temps are right where they should be. Only issue so far is the cruise number. Max so far is 140. I have to streamline my cowl. Next project after the 40 hours.
I use aileron and rudder for all turns and inputs. Very little of each.. When I'm flying solo the nose is a little heavy with the trim full back on final approach but add a passenger and everything changes to a more normal feel.
I joking will say but yet half serious that it took me about 10 hours to realize I wasn't going to crash it and about another 25 hours after that to start becoming friends with it. A 150 hours later hours later and I am pretty convinced that's a pretty good flying partner. I may change up eventually and I mean very eventually into a 135 horsepower range but I would have to check to make sure that the added weight doesn't offset the added value of the horsepower. As I said in the video I am comfortable and very happy with the performance. Your cruise is better than mine at this point but that It doesn't surprise me because mine does need some streamlining. Not sure how far I will actually go with that. Maybe some cuffs around the struts and some wheel pant farings.
Thanks Doran, great video and good info for those building, It's sad that I don't have my 40 hrs flown off yet but love every bit of the 26 hrs I have put in so far, this is one of the easiest planes I have flown outside of the cessna's and pipers. It is sensitive but I flew it first time with no problem and was a low time pilot. followed a lot of your pics on the Wittman forum and looks like you sure are enjoying yours.
I am enjoying it without a doubt. Putting up a hangar at Y91. The structure is up and now for closing it in. The wx here in Michigan has not been the greatest for aviating lately but still manage to get time in here and there.
Good to hear from you.
Blue skies. RIP.
Thank you so much, Dorans wife , Rose
Just another quick update. I have very recently installed RV wheel pants and am in the process of installing a spinner from UHS Spinners. Rough with no holes drilled or trimming done. This will be a completely new unit made from fiberglass and carbon fiber. The backing plate is trimmed, finished and ready for drilling. The spinner is in the final stages of finishing and should soon be ready for drilling and mounting. Planning to order gear leg fairings and plan to install a new windshield as well. All before early Spring I hope.
I’m looking forward to buy one of these n the future
Awesome review! I have been interested in tailwinds for a long time. Would love to have one some day.
If you ever get over to south East North Dakota let me know, I’d love to check out yours in person
That gives my wife and I a place to go. Thank you for the compliment. I would have been more comfortable without the noise in the background but I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Feel free to email me at doranjaffas@gmail.com
Hi Doran, very helpful video thanks. I also have a centre stick and throttle slightly to the left in my W8. Do you have any plans/drawings for the new control sticks you fitted, or know where one can be purchase from? Many thanks Alan
To be honest I do not. I took some rough measurementsIt's and a really rough sketch to a local welder and had him do it. Told him it didn't really matter how much it weighed because it wasn't going to make any real difference. Just used regular mild steel with about a 1/16th wall I believe. Weighs maybe 3 lbs but it's overbuilt. I will take some pictures and send them if you'd like.
doranjaffas@gmail.com
@@doranjaffas7351 Many thanks Doran, yes photos would be very helpful. I have sent you an email with my email address. kind Regards Alan
@@GoProGuy100
Didn't get it. Try again or text me at..
616-350-1463..
I'll take some tomorrow and get them to you.
Have the pictures. Send me a text or another email at...doranjaffas@gmail.com