When I started this project in 11/2010 (almost 7 years ago):
.... I had only 80 hours of flight time. I now have 3100 hours of building time (and a whopping 150 hours of flight time)
.... I had only 4 kids. I now have 6.
.... I weighed 215 pounds. I now weigh 208 pounds (Everything can't be dramatic)
.... I was in my 30's. I'm now 45.
.... I needed only one pair of glasses. I now use 3 different pairs and never seem to have the ones I need.
.... I had zero airplanes. I now have a nice RV-10 which I know flies straight and true.
Took off from CJR on Sunday 8/13/2017. Flew around for 20 minutes and landed without incident. .... Only issues were high CHTs because I left full power in too long (excitement got the better of me) and my flap breaker on the VPX tripped. I elected to continue what an observer later called a "picture perfect flaps-up landing" and debug on the ground.
Thanks to the VAF crowd, John Trollinger who gave me a "dress rehearsal" flight immediately prior in his RV-10, Dick Koehler for inspecting my airplane and doing the SB-632 work on my engine, Todd Stovall for answering many questions over the years and teaching me how to drill out rivets. Thanks to Tim Lewis for the most expensive airplane ride of all time back in 2010, And a very special thanks to Ralph Hoover who helped me with just about every part of the build (and talked me out of selling the project a few times).
Most of all my wife and kids. This is truly a family project in my house. And lastly, the Living Lord Jesus Christ who calmed my nerves and showed me mercy in bringing this sorely unqualified pilot back on the ground safely. May He see fit to do it many, many more times.
First flight - reflections
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