I finished assembling all the access panels and fairings, Installed the interior, and fixed my outstanding squawks this week. (DAR inspection was last Saturday).
Was ready for flight on Thursday, but called it off as it was getting close to Sunset and the winds were still gusty and close to a direct crosswind.
Had rain all day Friday and Saturday. Winds were strong all day Sunday as well, but straight down the runway, and forecast to diminish near sunset.
So I worked on installing the interior and finishing other minor items, left and had an early dinner, came back at 6:30 pm pre-flighted and had my first flight!
Winds were still 10 gusting to 17 right down the runway when I took off, but forecast to come down significantly during that hour. I stood by the runway for a little while, and did not feel the winds were bad.
Took off and had a successful flight of .7 hours. Would have stayed up longer, but dusk was approaching. Climbed directly over the airport to 4500 feet. Cylinder head temperatures climbed to 435 in the climb, but settled in between 370-390 after I leveled out. Cylinders 1&2 were the hottest at 390, with 3&4 being the lowest at 370, 5&6 were 380-385. Kept the power right at 75% for all of the flight except about 2 min of slow flight (70 knots not that slow). Seemed to fly good. Ball Centered, could not tell if I had a heavy wing or not as I had 30 gallons in the right tank and 10 gallons in the left. (Right was heavy with that fuel loading). Had most the fuel in the right tank as I am going to have to pull the left fuel sender, as it is either hung up (Possibly prosealed up?), or not working. It reads the same voltage as about 25 gal in the right tank no matter how much fuel is in it. Going on vacation next week, so just before I will pull the sender, replace it and proseal it back in. That way the proseal will have a week to dry while I am on vacation.
Belly and lower cowl were dry (no oil). I have not taken the cowl off to do a full inspection yet, but hopefully will have time to do so today.
Plane ready to go.
In the Air!
Landing
Taxiing back in with the RV-Grin
And since I did not have a chance to go on an aerial deer hunting photoshoot the deer came to visit me just after landing.
Hopefully will get 1 or 2 more flights in this week before going on vacation. Hope to have my 40 hrs (39.3 left) flown off by the end of April.
Complete.. well sort of. and first flight!
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