You can do it!
Don, I have just purchased a beautiful RV-8 built in Grants Pass by Jeff Tompkins. I am going through some of the same anxiety that you have written about with regard to my first flight in N9301T. I am going to need to get some training from a CFI for my tail wheel endorsement, and then a total of 20 hrs of dual in my RV before I can take it out solo - or with a passenger. It's turning out to be quite a challenge, as the -8 is not the best plane for use as a trainer. I am confident though, that I will get over those jitters like you did, and rediscover why I have always been a frustrated fighter pilot!
Your 13 year project, and your eloquence in writing about it, have been an inspiration to me! I am especially impressed with your HOTAS set up. Is that a Thrustmaster Cougar HOTAS in the cockpit? How did you manage that?!
Randy, I hadn't flown in over 10 years and, after 4 hours in a C-140, was signed off to fly Smokey. As you evidently already read, it wasn't without fear and trepidation. However, I just ticked over 76 hours yesterday before the weather turned threatening again.
There was a scattered layer at about 3,000', and clear above. As I climbed above the cloud canyons, I spied another aircraft zipping along the cloud tops heading away from me.
I switched to guns and peeled off in a shallow dive. I could tell that I was overtaking the bogey, but really wasn't interested in getting trapped on top as the weather worsened. I switched to missles, let fly a Sidewinder and broke off the pursuit. Splash one.
After a couple of rolls, I headed back to the aerodrome. Enroute, however, I spied another bogey -- a BLIMP! So, I throttled back, began a gentle turn toward the blimp and set up on a parallel course about 1,000 feet away. I decided to allow the blimp to live to fight another day, and with a wing wave, pushed into 'burner and headed back to the airport.
I can honestly say that I haven't really scared myself or pranged the plane in those hours. I might have reached this level of relative comfort had I spent more time in RV-specific training, but I'll never know. I'm just cheap enough -- and/or stupid enough -- to learn the basics and go with them.
BTW, I completed my multi-function display (MFD) overlays over the weekend. All that leaves is the ICP to mount over the 396 and the ACES II ...
Regarding the stick grip and throttle, they're F-16 stock. I know that many simpit guys use the Cougar setup, but these are real -- and feel real good in my hands, BTW.
Get the training you need to be comfortable and enjoy your new plane! But watch your six ... I'm out there ...
