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12-10-2011, 12:52 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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In the Pink ? Junior Takes Wing!
Sooner or later, the only thing left to do with an RV project is to go fly?and that?s exactly what we did with our RV-3 project this morning. ?NX13PL? (aka ?Junior? ? for now) took wing for the first time about 0830 Houston time with a nice overcast at 4,000? and winds behind a cold front adding a few bumps to the air. The Flight Test team consisted of me as the test pilot, Louise flying the RV-6 in chase, and a few well-trusted aviation friends to help out. Our neighbor and co-worker Steve Robinson (with a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering) acted as Test Director, riding in the right seat with Louise to keep an overall eye on the flight and make sure we stayed on task. Another neighbor, Dave Forster (F-1 builder/flyer) acted as the ground chief to make sure that I had finished the checklist and provide all those miscellaneous ground services ? like running to get my sunglasses when I was already strapped in. Ernie Butcher was the man with the camera ? when we get the shots from him, we?ll post an album. The first flight began at our airpark, and ended (as planned) at our neighboring field with a MUCH wider runway. The winds kicked up when we got there, so we elected to leave both planes there until the evening calm sets in.
Here is a quick snapshot (from Dave) of the post-flight ? Ernie had a lot of faith ? the sign was engraved and painted before the event!
The airplane flew like a dream ? I?m not sure if it flies straight and true ?hands off?, as there aren?t any other places to put your hands in an RV-3 (other than the controls)! But my initial impression is that it flies like a fabulous RV, feels light, and has tremendous power/speed response. In formation to do an ASI check, I could move up or back on Louise almost instantly. Nimble is probably the word I?ll settle on for now. Temperatures and pressures were all unremarkable (CHT?s all stayed below 350 ? the Mattituck TMXIO might already be broken in!), and no leaks were found when we pulled the cowl after the thirty-some minute flight.
There are so many people to thank for this wonderful machine, that there is no doubt I would leave important people out if I tried to make a complete list. But we?d be remiss if we didn?t especially thank Garmin and Tru Trak for the chance to help test the G3X panel (I?m looking forward to actually paying attention to something other than the System?s page on subsequent flights) and GX Pilot autopilot (which I haven?t yet engaged?.). The Whirlwind prop is spectacularly smooth on the Mattituck engine. Vans Aircraft has a lot of talented people making these kits ? and providing support (even for the -3) when we had questions (and they have no one who?s built one, except Van). All the bits and pieces we have purchased through the many vendors in the RV community have contributed to an airplane that is a pure joy to fly. I have never had a cockpit that fit so well in every way. And the RV community ? those who have built -3?s and the thousands here on VAF who have followed the build and answered our questions along the way ? couldn?t be better! Thanks to Doug for this fabulous resource called VAF, and all the folks that populate it.
And while I generally write the word ?we? when talking about this project, I personally have to say that I couldn?t have had a better partner ? for building, and for life ? in Louise. She?s really ready to honcho the next airplane project should she want ? and she probably should do so without my coaching. She?s ready?.just needs to get me out of the shop to make it her own. While she wants me to fly the first few hours (engine beak-in is boring I guess?), I look forward to watching her lift off in this most personal of flying machines very soon.
The RV-3 is one heck of a ride ? and the ride is just beginning!
Paul
P.S.: Yes, the cowl is pink ? you got a problem with that?! 
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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12-10-2011, 01:01 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: albuquerque, nm
Posts: 1,167
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Congratulations Paul and Louise! I'm glad everything went so well and that you have a new addition to the stable.
Best,
Guy & Merideth Prevost
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12-10-2011, 01:14 PM
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unqualified unfluencer
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Highland Village, TX
Posts: 4,088
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YEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
Many congrats you two!
__________________
Doug Reeves (your host) - Full time: VansAirForce.net since '07 (started it in '96).
- Part time: Supporting Crew Member CAE Embraer Phenom 300 (E55P) @ KDFW.
- Occasionally: Contract pilot (resume).
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12-10-2011, 01:15 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
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It doesn't get much better.
Whenever I see you two together, whether working on Junior, or flying together, I figure that you guys have the best of both worlds!
You compliment each other very well.
Congratulations to both of you.
Best,
__________________
Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga
It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132
Dues gladly paid!
Last edited by pierre smith : 12-11-2011 at 05:25 AM.
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12-10-2011, 01:15 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Hilton Head Island
Posts: 1,089
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Cool!
P & L, congrats on first flight! Sounds like a fun airplane.
About the "pink"  it kind of takes the "Steam" out of the "Iron" in you screen name
Good Luck, have fun and can't wait to see the paint on Jr.
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John Mastro
RV-8
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12-10-2011, 01:37 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 469
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Fantastic!
Congratulations, guys. The grins in that picture say it all. Can't wait to see Junior in action.
__________________
William Slaughter
Houston, TX
RV-8QB
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12-10-2011, 02:04 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 427
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight
. . . I personally have to say that I couldn?t have had a better partner ? for building, and for life ? in Louise.
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You are a class act, Paul. The "projects" going on in our garages and hangars are only a small part of the larger project which makes up our short life on earth. You were among the first handful of RV'ers I ever met, and I've carried the high-standard of personal excellence exhibited by that group as my own (impossible?) goal. I can hope against hope that my airplane turns out as nice as yours, but I can only dream that my character ever lives up to the fine examples of you and Louise.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight
P.S.: Yes, the cowl is pink ? you got a problem with that?! 
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Yeah, I do. Aren't you ever gonna finish that thing?
--
Stephen
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12-10-2011, 02:19 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
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Wonderful, wonderful!
Congratulations - and thanks for all the building postings, too, and all the pictures.
Well done, folks.
Dave
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12-10-2011, 02:36 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 2,357
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Congrats! I'm very happy for you two. Hopefully the weather will cooperate over the next while so you can grind your way through the test program.
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12-10-2011, 02:38 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,391
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Congratulations! Today is the third anniversary of the first flight in our RV-9!
cheers,
greg
__________________
Greg Arehart
RV-9B (Big tires) Tipup @AJZ or CYSQ
N 7965A
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