This evening at 6:13 local EN-1 put air beneath her wings for the first time. I offered Jeff Malcomb (11,000 hour pilot with lots of GA time, plus RV-12 transition time) have the honors. The plane was signed off this afternoon by the FAA and the kids jumped on it to get all the inspection plates in place, etc. Some of the paint (fiberglass especially) will have to be touched up after Oshkosh, but it looks and flies great.
I have to say there was as much satisfaction watching a first flight as there was when I did my own RV-9A. I got to watch the kids as they saw THEIR creation take to the air. It is a special kind of joy.
The pilot report says that we need to increase the pitch of the prop, but there was NO heavy wing tendency. It needs a very slight tab to correct about a one-half ball to the right.
The last few weeks have had their ups and downs, hoping to make Oshkosh. Nothing is guaranteed, but we should make it. That will be one of the proudest moments in the lives of ten high school age builders, and I imagine in my life, too. I remember two years ago when I asked for money for tools to build this thing, and you guys gave generously. You can be proud, too.
Bob
I have to say there was as much satisfaction watching a first flight as there was when I did my own RV-9A. I got to watch the kids as they saw THEIR creation take to the air. It is a special kind of joy.
The pilot report says that we need to increase the pitch of the prop, but there was NO heavy wing tendency. It needs a very slight tab to correct about a one-half ball to the right.
The last few weeks have had their ups and downs, hoping to make Oshkosh. Nothing is guaranteed, but we should make it. That will be one of the proudest moments in the lives of ten high school age builders, and I imagine in my life, too. I remember two years ago when I asked for money for tools to build this thing, and you guys gave generously. You can be proud, too.
Bob