First Flight N975G

rongawer · #1 08-19-2018, 07:38 PM

I am happy to say that my RV-12?s first flight was a successful one.

Having my wife on the ramp watching (and quite nervous about the whole thing), I simply made one trip around the patch to prove the controls work and the airframe worked well. I?m happy to say it performed very well, light on the controls and flew straight and level just touching the stick - and a pleasure all in.

My oil temp did get above 210 in flight settling at 214. This is frustrating as the oil cooler is stuck to the front cowl with a full opening. I can only imagine that it?s somehow undersized. I?ve contacted Bill at Airflow and gave him my data and he is going work out a different cooler for me (side note: talk about customer service! I emailed him on a Sunday and he emailed me right back with advice and request for data.).

Note that I never got my revs above 2400 - the airplane accelerated and lifted off a lot faster than I thought it would and I didn't even get the throttle all the way in yet. That, and knowing that oil temps could run high, I just left it at partial throttle. I chuckled to myself in that going from my Baron to this is like going from a deep draft vessel to a jet ski - super responsive. I pulled it back to 2100 at right crosswind and left it there until pulling back for landing. I landed a little fast, but I had 12G18 30? off from the right and wanted to carry a little extra. I?m pretty happy with my first landing in an RV-12. I did not experience any roll or pitch issues with flap extension that I?ve read other folks experience, so that?s good too.

I already have a short list of tweaks going, but it was a good first run. Enjoy.

Startup and taxi:
https://youtu.be/dETfp5DYKt0

18 Minute flight video:
https://youtu.be/NjS8LDEWnPk

DeltaRomeo · #2 08-19-2018, 07:39 PM

Outstanding Ron!!!! Many Congrats!!!!! Cool video.

v/r,dr

Mike S · #3 08-19-2018, 07:50 PM

And another fledgling leaves the nest

jpflys1 · #4 08-19-2018, 08:12 PM

Congratulations,

May I ask what engine?

RFSchaller · #5 08-19-2018, 08:33 PM

Laughed in the face of death and won again!😱 congratulations!😁

rv9builder · #6 08-19-2018, 11:52 PM

Congratulations, Ron!

rongawer · #7 08-20-2018, 06:09 AM

Thanks all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpflys1

Congratulations,

May I ask what engine?

It's a UL350iS from UL Power. Very nice engine, starts quick and runs very smooth.

Piper J3 · #8 08-20-2018, 06:14 AM

Congratulations...

Just one comment - it looks like your control sticks are very tall. I compare to my plane where top of stick is about even with cabin side longerons. I'm wondering if that's a comfortable height?
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John-G · #9 08-20-2018, 06:43 AM

Congratulations Ron!!! Job well done! Please post some engine/flight data points when you have enough time on your RV-12 to make assessments.

rongawer · #10 08-20-2018, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper J3

Congratulations...

Just one comment - it looks like your control sticks are very tall. I compare to my plane where top of stick is about even with cabin side longerons. I'm wondering if that's a comfortable height?

I like them, but if you want Tosten grips and also want them lower, you could just cut the stick down and redo the mount point.

For me, I have the stick where with my arm resting on my knee, my pointing finger and thumb rest nicely on the lower grip of the stick.