RivetBangers.com

for Sunday 4/6!

I've finally gotten all of the paperwork ready enough to get the RV-9A inspected. The plane has been put together for the last couple of weeks. Still messing around with all of the electronics, but everything seems to work.

Also still doing transition training before the first flight. I've gotten 3 hours in with an RV-7A, and have more hours scheduled for tomorrow.

On to planning the first flights! For those who have gone through Phase 1, I would love to hear your experiences and advice for having a safe first flight.

Good luck with the inspection Bruce. No first flight advice, but have you considered a flight advisor from the EAA? I am anxious for you to get it airborne. Best of luck and stay safe.

This is sooooo cool! Congrats!!

Spike

Bruce,

Good luck on your DAR inspection tomorrow! I waited nearly 2 months between when my inspection took place and first flight. While the airplane was airworthy, there was a lot of little things I wanted to take care of before I flew her.

As far as first flight goes, here are a few of my suggestions:

1) Have a plan to make it as simple as possible. Takeoff and gain altitude directly over the airport. Always expect an engine outage! When you are up at altitude, perform a stall and write down the speed the airplane stalls at in landing configuration (i.e. flaps out). I forget the exact math, but your approach speed should be about 15% above stall speed. Since things happen fast, be sure to have all of this calculated out ahead of time (i.e. tabulated spreadsheet printout) and be ready just to circle the proper speed. There's not that much extra brainpower left over on first flight for any sort of elementary math. After you do a stall, lose the altitude and land.

2) Have a chase airplane if possible. Not so much to look for issues going on with your airplane, but it's nice to have someone to talk to in case things happen, and to let you know what to do next. Make sure you go over with the other pilot your plan, and make sure he knows it cold.

3) Ground support - have someone with a fire extinguisher(s) on the group in a car. Just in case something happens on landing or takeoff, you want a safety team ready to assist.

4) Minimal amount of people. You don't want spectators or to make this a big event. This adds unnecessary external pressures that can cause you to make a poor "go" decision.

5) PLAN PLAN PLAN. Have it down cold in your head what exactly you will do on your first flight. And do exactly that.

6) After your landing and the obligatory handshakes, decowl the airplane and have multiple people look over the engine, Double check all fuel fittings (visually and by feel).

Those are the major things I can think of off the top of my head, If you want I would be happy to talk to you on the phone if you would like to discuss any of this further.

The following link is to my writeup of the first flight. Perhaps it will help:
http://rvplane.com/?categoryid=10000&dayid=981


Can't wait to hear about the first flight report!

I got my pink slip.



No real issues during inspection! Hardest part was getting the engine started for the run up. I guess it takes more priming than I thought.

Thanks for the advice, Mike. I don't know when I'll be ready to fly this for the first time. Hopefully soon I can finish up the transition training. I have got to get my COM issues sorted, and I found a leaky fitting on the fuel filter.

Congrats Bruce. What a great milestone.
Have a great first flight

Congrats Bruce. What a great milestone.
Have a great first flight

Congratulations !!

Congratulations !!

Congratulations!! I can't wait to see your first flight report... what an exciting time!

Congrats on the airworthy certificate Bruce. Way to go. Look forward to the first flight report. What a great milestone!

Yes, indeed, Bruce. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Take your time for first flight and don't feel rushed. You've come this far, make it right.

Awesome news Bruce!! I was at SNF last week, so I missed this altogether, but so glad to hear it's time to fly!

Bruce,

Congrats and I am looking forward to hearing about first flight!

CJ

Bruce,

Awesome news! Congrats on your pink slip. Have a SAFE first flight!