Flying - Mitsubishi Ki-15 Babs Construction Manual

Babs is a delight to fly. The large, ball-bearing wheels track straight even in rough grass fields.
Flight is stable and responsive. She is possibly the smoothest-flying airplane I have ever owned.
The wide fuselage, big wing and huge wheel pants make the orientation of the plane visible at
a distance and in poor light.
Aileron differential and rudder input are not needed for coordinated turns. Note that only ±8°
of aileron throw is specified. That is plenty due to the large span of the ailerons.
The single DC-3 style flap tends to shift the center-of-lift forward when lowered. This causes
the equivalent of up-trim. To compensate for this, use the flap-elevator mix on your computer
transmitter to add about 1/8" of down-elevator trim for fully lowered (60 °) flap.
The single flap is very effective. It permits very slow flybys and slow landings. When
landing in a strong wind or crosswind, use the take-off flap position. Landing without flap in a
light headwind is possible, but a long rollout will result.
At 30 lbs and a DA 100 engine, power is available for sustained vertical flight—not very
scale. However, vertical maneuvers can be entered without a prior buildup of airspeed. Merely
advance the throttle when needed. Use the surplus of power for climb rate, not speed. Huge
loops and extended stall turns are possible without the need for speed. I rarely use full throttle in
level flight, not even for take-off. And so we have Dave's Paradox: More power is required to
fly slower.
Recommended prop with a DA 100 twin cylinder engine: Mejzlik 27 x 10.
The large fuselage side area and the flat area of the wheel pants provide lift during slow rolls
that tends to make them easier to do. Only a slight amount of down-elevator is needed during
the inverted phase if started nose-high..

Flying

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