Rotec radial engines

[stearmoth]

First flight of "Vintage Hatz"

Hi biplane friends,

I would like to announce that my son Sam made the first flight of our Waco style Hatz June 11, 0745 p.m. The first flight went very well, endured 15min and ended with a perfect 3-point landing. A second 15min flight followed with same results. Sam did an excellent job with just 160 hours pilot’s time to his credit.
The Hatz flies very well, seems to have no habits, although the propeller seems to have too much pitch and should have a larger dia. It flies hands off, although for having the trim neutral we will have to readjust the stabilizer (must have a lower incidence).
I wanted to post some pictures, but don't anymore how to make this wenn they are on my computer. See the Hatz biplane forum or the Biplane forum for pictures – video to follow.

Best regards
Hans & Sam, H.C.#78, Switzerland

[stearmoth]

Here is the first flight video:


Enjoy!
Hans

[Dave Homewood]

Wonderful! Congratulations!

[Deleted]

After seeing the Classic Wings Fighter Fleet of Nieuport and Fokker in action at Omaka I'm guessing there's a bit more interest in the Rotec engines among Kiwis. It was great to see and hear them in action, I was very impressed with the Dr.I.

I also was introduced to Paul Chernikeef of Rotec - the bar was so noisy I didn't really click as to who he was, despite the Rotec talk and the Rotec cap on his head! - and we had a great chat. Anyone looking at a WW1 project really should look at these engines. He said he'd never thought about WW1 replicas when he started the project, and that he was pleasantly surprised with the range of uses people have found for them.

Another Rotec-powered project was also on the field as a static display/advertisement next to their sales stand - a locally-based (7/8?) Nieuport which I believe is syndicate-owned: