FF Youtube lessons
If you didn't like to read ... ;)
Here you get the basic info about the Flying Flea in a few videos. I heard they were even used in EAA-meeting in the USA for possible Flying Flea builders, so ...i guess i did my work rather good. :)
Enjoy.
Comments and suggestions for new videos are always welcome.
01 - Showing what a Flying Flea is
02 - Why was it designed this way?
03 - Is a Flying Flea a flying coffin?
04 - Piloting the Flying Flea is SUPER EASY
05 - The Living Wing - The "soul" of the Flying Flea
06 - Can i build a safe Flying Flea from the plans without modifications?
07A - Differences HM14 from book and recent HM14 constructions
07B - Differences HM14 from book and recent HM14 constructions
The list with ALL the differences between the HM14 from the book and the more modern version are listed in the section Things to remember
08 - Crosswind landings and agility of Flying Flea
Explaining the Cousandy flaps. Make sure to see the last part of the movie. It should another advantage of the Flying Flea.
09 - WARNING! Don't built a HM16 or HM160 ! !
I got this email from one of the three projects i mention in this video:
I am Stewart Marshall, builder of the Jumbo HM-16 which you show in your video called: Do Not Build the HM-16. Very good advice! My plane was not successful due to two of the three reasons. Wing loading was not a problem for me since I scaled the plane up to the size of a HM-293 with its larger wing area and modern airfoil profile. Lots of wing area now and plane wants to lift at at only 25 mph. But the other two problems you mention still existed in my plane. It was too short and yawed badly sideways, hard to steer straight at low speeds, take off and landing, also the side profile of having the most fuselage ahead of CG was awkward in side wind. The plane also ground looped easily. I think a fourth problem - not enough tail feathers! It needs more surface near rudder and also below fuselage back at rudder, to keep from tail swinging sideways too easy. And tail could be longer. So I have not flown it successfully but I still have it and have thought of some modifications to make it usable. First, it is now on tricycle gear with steerable nose wheel, to keep from ground looping when taking off, especially on rough ground. Then a longer tail and more area near rudder and below fuselage. But have not done that yet. I will take some photos if I get that finished. For now, I agree with your best advice to newcomers - Don't build HM-16, even a larger size! The whole shape of the tail and back of fuselage is not successful and makes an unstable aircraft. Mignet flew his but he was a daredevil!
A Flying Flea in action