A review of the restoration process of my Phoebus A1, starting with the condition it was in when I purchased it, to when it flew for the 1st time in 24yrs.
Nice job on the restoration John. It's nice to see people restoring these old birds to their former glory .The Phoebus is one of the most aesthetically pleasing designs.
We had a Phoebus 17 in our club in Detmold, Germany. It flew very nicely, but not good for small field out landings with the top and bottom brakes so far back on the wings to avoid sealing problems meaning they had no effect above 45 knots. It was a glider that needed to be landed dead on 45 knots after a lower than normal circuit.
I have no experience with the C model (17m wings), but from talking with other Phoebus owners, and my own experience flying this A model, the impression I get is that the A (and B) models have VERY effective spoilers, whereas the C model is as you describe--thus the need for the drogue parachute. It's amazing how much of a difference 2m of wingspan can make to an otherwise identical glider.
The first fiberglass glider I flew, in Argentina. Nice handling, good performance for its age. And very robust and heavy wings, in the landouts you will need some strong helpers.
I've noticed in my fuselage that there is a fiberglass layer on the inside of the balsa wood as well--a sandwich construction of sorts. However, my glider has some damage history, with resulting repair, so I can't comment on other Phoebus gliders, and I can't comment on how the wings are, but I would suspect them to be similar?
Yes, the wings are constructed in the same way. keep them out of moist, I have hear of gliders delericted and turned usseles due moist.@@johnfoster1201
Other than the left wing touching on take off, great job! It's a heavy wing from what I understand, but the runner could have stayed a tad longer? Hard to say here.
Fortunately these wings have small wheels on the tips instead of skids. This is more of a benefit though on a paved runway. The test pilot is very experienced, and would have pulled the release if things got much more out of hand.
Yikes, what a super job and now you have a glider that fits you like a well made glove. At the start was that just dust on the canopy or had it uv misted ? Did it clean up, polish out or need replacing ?
Originally when I picked it up, it was paint overspray on the canopy. I had to polish it out. The canopy is not perfect now, but definitely useable and a LOT better.
Fantastic!! I'm about to restore my newly bought HP-18. My aircraft is fully functional but needs an upgrade to various parts including the control panel. . I imagine your glider is in the home-built (experimental) category. How did you do the various 'engineering' type certification checks? ie: did you have someone go through and check the glider or did you do it yourself?
Nice job on the restoration John. It's nice to see people restoring these old birds to their former glory .The Phoebus is one of the most aesthetically
pleasing designs.
Thanks. I wish I could do more.
We had a Phoebus 17 in our club in Detmold, Germany. It flew very nicely, but not good for small field out landings with the top and bottom brakes so far back on the wings to avoid sealing problems meaning they had no effect above 45 knots. It was a glider that needed to be landed dead on 45 knots after a lower than normal circuit.
I have no experience with the C model (17m wings), but from talking with other Phoebus owners, and my own experience flying this A model, the impression I get is that the A (and B) models have VERY effective spoilers, whereas the C model is as you describe--thus the need for the drogue parachute. It's amazing how much of a difference 2m of wingspan can make to an otherwise identical glider.
Great job!:-) Have fun & safe flights only!
Thank you! Will do!
The first fiberglass glider I flew, in Argentina. Nice handling, good performance for its age. And very robust and heavy wings, in the landouts you will need some strong helpers.
Only the outer skin was fibreglass. It was a glass skin sitting on balsa and wooden frame. A real hybrid!
I've noticed in my fuselage that there is a fiberglass layer on the inside of the balsa wood as well--a sandwich construction of sorts. However, my glider has some damage history, with resulting repair, so I can't comment on other Phoebus gliders, and I can't comment on how the wings are, but I would suspect them to be similar?
Yes, the wings are constructed in the same way. keep them out of moist, I have hear of gliders delericted and turned usseles due moist.@@johnfoster1201
Great to see that you keep this Plane working... Greetings from Mendig. What Place do you Fly?
Thanks. Montana is a FANTASTIC place to fly with many beautiful vistas to enjoy.
Other than the left wing touching on take off, great job! It's a heavy wing from what I understand, but the runner could have stayed a tad longer? Hard to say here.
Fortunately these wings have small wheels on the tips instead of skids. This is more of a benefit though on a paved runway. The test pilot is very experienced, and would have pulled the release if things got much more out of hand.
Yikes, what a super job and now you have a glider that fits you like a well made glove.
At the start was that just dust on the canopy or had it uv misted ? Did it clean up, polish out or need replacing ?
Originally when I picked it up, it was paint overspray on the canopy. I had to polish it out. The canopy is not perfect now, but definitely useable and a LOT better.
Fantastic!! I'm about to restore my newly bought HP-18. My aircraft is fully functional but needs an upgrade to various parts including the control panel.
.
I imagine your glider is in the home-built (experimental) category. How did you do the various 'engineering' type certification checks? ie: did you have someone go through and check the glider or did you do it yourself?
I did the work myself, under the supervision of an A&P/IA. There really wasn't much "engineering" to do, fortunately.
On that HP - 18 CAREFULY check out the wing bonding ribs to skin, many have failed rendering the glider totaled basically