DAR Inspection date is set...

bruceh · Post by **bruceh** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:30 pm

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.

Joe Parish · Post by **Joe Parish** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:30 pm

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.

Post by **Spike** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 9:04 pm

This is sooooo cool! Congrats!!

Spike

Post by **bullojm1** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 6:41 pm

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!

bruceh · Post by **bruceh** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 11:16 pm

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.

stevewiz · Post by **stevewiz** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:01 am

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

stevewiz · Post by **stevewiz** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:02 am

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

clreding · Post by **clreding** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:11 am

Congratulations !!

clreding · Post by **clreding** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:11 am

Congratulations !!

plbarrett2004 · Post by **plbarrett2004** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 2:32 pm

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

Joe Parish · Post by **Joe Parish** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:41 pm

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

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 4:59 am

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

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:39 pm

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

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 8:53 pm

Bruce,

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

CJ

Post by **bullojm1** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:48 pm

Bruce,

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

RivetBangers.com

DAR Inspection date is set...

DAR Inspection date is set...

N5771H is airworthy!