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  #1  
Old 05-30-2012, 03:31 PM
Jeff A's Avatar
Jeff A Jeff A is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 365
Thumbs up RV-8 N218HM First Flight(s)

Since I have not one poetic bone in my body, I'll just give you the facts....after nearly five years and nine months of building, N218HM has finally taken flight. First flight was yesterday morning around 8:00am out of Fort Worth Meacham in the capable hands of Roy Geer....thank you Roy. He was nice enough to fly the airplane for 20+ minutes and reported no discrepancies afterwards. Wanted to thank my dad, whom I could not have started OR finished this project without his help. Also have to thank my wife for the help and putting up with my madness over the past few years.

After working up my nerves and waiting for the winds and temperature to be within my comfort zone, I decided to fly her myself at 7:00 last evening. About 30 minutes in duration. Orbited the airport on the west-side to get a feeling for the plane and headed north for just a few minutes. First landing attempt had a few small bounces and I didn?t see it getting better, so went around for another shot. 2nd landing wasn?t perfect, but it got the job done. For the record, not only was this my first flight in the front seat of a RV-8, it was actually my first SOLO in a tail-dragger. To say the least, I was a bit nervous. Overall, an amazing experience and I can?t wait to get out there again.

Airplane was a standard build kit, has a Barrett (Superior) IO-360X, Catto 3-blade, VP-X, Dynon Skyview, GNC-250XL, Becker comm, Mike Cingari bent stick, etc, etc....

HD YouTube video for anyone interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWfc79BWcNo
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RV-8 #82594 Flying since May 2012
Barrett XP-360, Catto 3-Blade, Dual G3X Touch, GTN-650, VP-X
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  #2  
Old 05-30-2012, 03:38 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
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Default Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff A View Post
..after nearly five years and nine months of building, N218HM has finally taken flight.
Jeff, congratulations on the fledgling

Seems to be a bit of a epidemic of new flights lately.

Enjoy the "fazeone"
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Mike Starkey
VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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  #3  
Old 05-30-2012, 03:48 PM
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drill_and_buck drill_and_buck is offline
 
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Location: Bridgewater, MA - KPYM
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Default

Most awesome!!

Congrats,

Mike
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RV-8 N468RV
First Flight 11/13/2011
TMX0360, Pmags, CS
Bridgewater, MA
KPYM
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  #4  
Old 05-30-2012, 04:05 PM
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panhandler1956 panhandler1956 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,686
Default Congratulations!!

Jeff,
That is awesome! I have been wondering how you were doing. Looks like you've been busy! Great job on this awesome accomplishment! Enjoy phase 1!
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  #5  
Old 05-30-2012, 04:27 PM
DeltaRomeo DeltaRomeo is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Highland Village, TX
Posts: 4,088
Default

Jeff!!!!

Congratulations my friend!!!!! You and I have come quite a ways airplane-wise since racing Quickie 500 r/c against each other back in the early 90's, huh?

Very, very happy for you!!!!

br,
dr


Update: I actually found a picture!!! Jeff marked with yellow point on left - me on right. I wonder what we would have thought had one of us said to the other, "In twenty years we'll both have RVs." The next logical step is for us to race, I'm guessing! And you'll probably beat me now, also.
http://i50.tinypic.com/29qbj4i.jpg
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Last edited by DeltaRomeo : 05-30-2012 at 04:58 PM.
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  #6  
Old 05-30-2012, 04:50 PM
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RV7Guy RV7Guy is offline
 
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Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,904
Default Congrats!!!

Nice job Jeff. Take it slow and enjoy the ride. Your life has changed forever!!
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Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ
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RV-7 N717EE-Flying (Sold)
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  #7  
Old 05-30-2012, 05:18 PM
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JohnCFord JohnCFord is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 109
Default

Good job, Jeff!! I was listening to Addison via LiveATC.net earlier that day. I'll be listening for "experimental hotel mike" from now on...
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I like the RV-8, and Rv-7
RV-8 Preview Plans received 2/22/12
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  #8  
Old 05-30-2012, 10:33 PM
Jeff A's Avatar
Jeff A Jeff A is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 365
Default That's great!

Quote:
Originally Posted by DeltaRomeo View Post
Jeff!!!!

Congratulations my friend!!!!! You and I have come quite a ways airplane-wise since racing Quickie 500 r/c against each other back in the early 90's, huh?

Very, very happy for you!!!!

br,
dr


Update: I actually found a picture!!! Jeff marked with yellow point on left - me on right. I wonder what we would have thought had one of us said to the other, "In twenty years we'll both have RVs." The next logical step is for us to race, I'm guessing! And you'll probably beat me now, also.
http://i50.tinypic.com/29qbj4i.jpg
HaHa! That's awesome you still have that picture! I remember it fondly whenever I look at the plaque that still hangs in my Shrine To All Things Aviation (aka the spare bedroom)! Thanks for helping build such a great community, Doug. I'm happy to say that I'm a part of it now....

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RV-8 #82594 Flying since May 2012
Barrett XP-360, Catto 3-Blade, Dual G3X Touch, GTN-650, VP-X
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  #9  
Old 05-30-2012, 11:06 PM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
Default HEY! YOU GUYS GOT RACING BLOOD?

We have three or four more races in Texas later this year. My guess is you would be in the RV Blue class. www.sportairrace.org then click on Calendar of Events.

Bob Axsom

P.S. I sensed a little poetic influence.
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  #10  
Old 05-31-2012, 05:47 AM
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Jaypratt Jaypratt is offline
 
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Location: Hicks Airfield, Fort Worth,Texas
Posts: 1,728
Default Congratulations

Jeff,

It looked really good. You did a good job building. I wish you many years of fun filled time flying your 8!!
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