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First Flight Gallery: Stemme S6
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Read the original first flight press release:
Maiden Flight Stemme S6
It happened on November 29, 2006: The STEMME S6 took off for its maiden flight. STEMME engineer and test pilot Lothar Dalldorf took the S6 through an extended traffic pattern and landed seven minutes after takeoff. His original plan was to do a few approaches prior to the first final landing. However, weather conditions worsened rapidly so he decided to abort his flight right after the first approach. Perfect. Pilot and aircraft had returned safely to the ground after the first flight.
The spectators on site, the company's engineers and workers and of course Dr. Stemme himself were truly enthusiastic.
The original plan was to perform the maiden flight in the afternoon of November 29 in the presence of shareholders, bank representatives and all employees. Unfortunately, they could only watch a video taken earlier that day due to the worsening weather which did not allow for another flight. Nevertheless, the event raised a cheer.
The four largest shareholders - one institutional investor and three private persons, two of them long time S10-VT owners – took this opportunity to sign capital increase agreements enabling STEMME to expand the production capacity.
Test pilot Lothar Dalldorff reports:
Two days prior to the maiden flight we conducted the first taxiing tests. The S6 performed flawlessly. It taxied with ease, showed good response to rudder inputs and did not show any tendency to deviate even when the wheel-brakes were vigorously applied.
There was no tendency for nose wheel flutter at higher taxiing speeds. At the same time I was able to begin to test the response to elevator inputs. This almost felt like real flying.
On Nov. 29, 12:01 local time the S6 took to the skies for the first time. Due to bad weather the flight lasted just seven minutes, however we were able to perform two more flights the following day leading to a total airtime of more than an hour within these two days.
After pre-selecting the propeller revolution speed for takeoff and applying takeoff power the wheel-brake is released. The resulting takeoff run is performed almost like running on rails. Once the takeoff speed has been reached the S6 requires a bit of rotation input initiating a smooth climb.
During flight it maintains a stable attitude of flight in all three axes. No tendency to deviate, to dive away or any other abnormal attitude could be observed.
Response to all controls including the airbrakes is good. Just the elevator was a bit too sensitive on the first flight. Installation of an elevator spring trim led to very comfortable and stable handling on the elevator during the following flights.
After this small modification, handling within the speed range up to 180 km/h (100 kts) was tested and found to be without any problems.
Engine shut-off and restart was also successfully tested – restarting by using the windmilling propeller rather than the starter motor.
Landing approaches with the engine idling, making use of the airbrakes to control the final approach path, should be performed quite steeply in order to be able to apply full airbrakes after touchdown. This safely keeps the aircraft on the ground. That way precision landings can be performed routinely after a little practice.
To cater for the preferences of power pilots we will test an alternative landing technique within the near future: Controlling the final approach via the power setting with airbrakes in a fixed position, half applied.
Of course the enthusiastic glider pilot can easily perform landings with the engine shut off.
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