phase 1
 

where would I find what this is?

A good place to start would the FAA Advisory Circular on Flight Testing (AC90-89a.....I think) - it gives a great outline of the flight testing process and what shoudl be invovled in Phase 1.

Also see AC 20-27G. this is the guideline for building, certificating and flying an amateur-built aircraft.

Chapter 14 explains and discusses phase I flight testing.
(the index says it's chapter 10, but in reality it's chapter 14)

THANKS!
Fred