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  #1  
Old 12-18-2008, 06:27 PM
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Lycosaurus Lycosaurus is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 650
Default C-GOFM is now an airplane

Well, after 6 plus years of hammering away (figuratively ... most of the time) at the project, Shirley and I are proud to announce that GOFM, our RV-9A, has had air under its wings today. Around noon today, engine was started after a thorough preheat, and I was off the runway in no time. It was a total non-event (yeah, that means it's a good thing) ... mainly due to my transition training with Ted C. A big THANKS to you, Ted.

Andy (GNDY) monitored my orbits around Carp airport - CYRP (... just in case of worst case scenario), and did this for a good 1 1/2 hours. Thanks Andy P. and Bill R. for the support.

GOFM's O-320 got a good 2 1/2 hrs engine run-in over three flights, keeping CHTs below 400 F. Non calibrated/verified speeds was about 147 kts at 2500 rpm / 2200 feet / -7 C, no fairings at all. Of course, at these settings, it sucks big time ... 10.5 gph full rich fuel flow. Ran the engine at 2400 rpm most of the time.

On my last flight, I tested how true it flew, and it was completely hands off. Next flights will explore other flight envelopes.

Not out of the woods yet, as I have a mechanical VSI that is inop, and GPS unit that is resetting on me. That's part of what the 25 hours is
for.

Looking forward to more good days for flying. Thanks to all on the list, and like everyone says ... keep plugging away, it's well worth it.
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Alfio
RV-9A Ottawa, Canada
First flight Dec. 18, 2008
> 1,000 hrs tach.
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  #2  
Old 12-18-2008, 06:29 PM
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brianwallis brianwallis is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: In Walter Mitty's dreams
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Talking CONGRATS!!!!!

Big time congratulations!!!!! What an achievement!!! You are a lucky man!
Best
Brian Wallis
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  #3  
Old 12-18-2008, 06:30 PM
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Jamie Jamie is offline
 
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Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,295
Default

Awesome job!

Pretty neat, huh?

Now update that signature!
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Jamie | RV-7A First Flight: 7/27/2007 (Sold)
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  #4  
Old 12-18-2008, 06:35 PM
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mannanj mannanj is offline
 
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Location: Mtns of N.E. Georgia
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Default Airplane

Lyco:

Bet you're still grinning! Congratulations on one of life's greatest milestones!
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  #5  
Old 12-18-2008, 06:40 PM
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vlittle vlittle is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Victoria, Canada
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Alfio, congratulations! You'll love the airplane.

One thing of note, however: it sounds like your carburetor is running lean. With those CHTs in -7c ambient and the modest fuel flow the evidence is that you will need to rejet the carb.

I did this because my CHTs were well over 400 (up to 435) during climbout in January during my first flights. I could not detect any discernable leaning. The fix was to send my carb to Bart Lalonde for rejetting. This dropped the climbout CHTs appreciably.

Of course, January in Vancouver means well above freezing. Nevertheless, we have snow and -6c here now.

In the end, it took about 200 hours to get my a/c all dialed in and set up exactly the way I want, with all of the toys and options.

You're going to have a lot of fun.

Congrats again,
Vern
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V e r n. ====
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RV-9A complete
Harmon Rocket complete
S-21 wings complete
Victoria, BC (Summer)
Chandler, Az (Winter)
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  #6  
Old 12-18-2008, 07:05 PM
David-aviator David-aviator is offline
 
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Location: Chesterfield, Missouri
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Congrats on the first flight, Alfio.

It is always good to read these reports.
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RV-7A...Sold #70374
The RV-8...Sold #83261
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  #7  
Old 12-18-2008, 07:15 PM
DeltaRomeo DeltaRomeo is offline
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Many congrats, Alfio!!!! Great news!

b,
dr
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  #8  
Old 12-19-2008, 08:26 AM
dhusk dhusk is offline
 
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Posts: 126
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Outstanding! Enjoy your new creation and send pictures
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Darryl Husk
RV9A - finishing kit
Redford, Michigan
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  #9  
Old 12-19-2008, 12:31 PM
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Marc DeGirolamo Marc DeGirolamo is offline
 
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Location: Saskatoon,Saskatchewan,Canada
Posts: 291
Default congratulations....a child is born

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lycosaurus View Post
Well, after 6 plus years of hammering away (figuratively ... most of the time) at the project, Shirley and I are proud to announce that GOFM, our RV-9A, has had air under its wings today. .
Alfio....another Canadian RV to add to the books...congratulations ! Hope to see "Oscar Fox Mike" at this end of the country some day....
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  #10  
Old 12-19-2008, 01:14 PM
swixtt swixtt is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: CAD
Posts: 249
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you got her up for the maiden flight!!! congrats!!!

hope you get some warmer weather over there to continue on with the flights! well at least warmer than -10c!
-25 over here now!! and the skiing is still terrible!!


adios
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RV9.... Tail done. Inspection done! Wings pre-cover MDRA inspection done. Closing them up now. Fuse underway.
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