What would you do? 2 year medical loss with finished RV-7 in between.

[BruceW]

What would you do? 2 year medical loss with finished RV-7 in between.

Curious what others would do. Should my RV-7 project get flown when it?s ready, or wait another year until my temp medical loss is over? The -7 is due for completion sometime in the fall of this year, assuming the same pace. But I got a flight medical issue that the fine experts at EAA say will delay my Class 3 clearance until fall of 2009.

One side of me says, let someone else fly it first time when it?s ready this fall, and do some dual flying during the test period. Then when phase 1 is done, just fly with another pilot as PIC (or logable dual with an instructor) until my medical clears.

On the other hand, first flight is really important to me and I hate the thought of not having the experience. (I have done a first flight in the past on a restoration project) So I could be tough and finish the plane, keep it maintained, but not do first flight until a year later. (I could stretch out the construction time to soften the wait.)

So given the same situation, what would you do and why?

[RV10Man]

I'd stretch out the build time & fly it myself.

Marshall Alexander
RV10 N781DM
working on fuse/cabin top

[InsideOut]

I would finish it, have someone else do the test flights, then fly with another pilot as PIC. That way you still get to fly in YOUR plane and enjoy it, and share the experience with a buddy.

Just my opinion...

[danielhv]

I'd wait and fly the first flight myself. No way would I give up that feeling after all I had sacrificed! Stretch out the build... learn to paint and paint the plane yourself... put the extra money you save into the panel or engine!

[Geico266]

There are alot of guys flying without medicals. The only one who knows is the guy flying, unless you talk about it on the internet, or at your local FBO.

[grantcarruthers]

Am I missing something here?? Do the first flight WITH the test pilot. I know you can fly with "crew" during phase 1 so unless I'm wrong (distinct possibility) the 1st flight is part of phase 1 so go with??

Hope I'm right as you sound like it'd be a big disappointment not to do 1st flight.

If I'm wrong and 1st flight has to be solo I say let someone else do it so you can work through phase 1 and the inevitable squawks by the time your medical clears. Then you're free and clear to enjoy.

Best of luck

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by grantcarruthers

Am I missing something here?? Do the first flight WITH the test pilot. I know you can fly with "crew" during phase 1 so unless I'm wrong (distinct possibility) the 1st flight is part of phase 1 so go with??

Hope I'm right as you sound like it'd be a big disappointment not to do 1st flight.

If I'm wrong and 1st flight has to be solo I say let someone else do it so you can work through phase 1 and the inevitable squawks by the time your medical clears. Then you're free and clear to enjoy.

Best of luck

Grant,

You will have a hard time convincing the FAA that a 2nd person is a required crew member during the phase 1 on an RV. I know it has been done but our FISDO is very specific on this topic and it is not something they take lightly.

[RV10Man]

Originally Posted by Geico266

There are alot of guys flying without medicals. The only one who knows is the guy flying, unless you talk about it on the internet, or at your local FBO.

That's actually the same thought I had, but didn't say it for fear I'd get pounded completely into the ground. The airplane has no conscience, so, it'd never know.

Marshall

[Jim P]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geico266
There are alot of guys flying without medicals. The only one who knows is the guy flying, unless you talk about it on the internet, or at your local FBO.

That's actually the same thought I had, but didn't say it for fear I'd get pounded completely into the ground. The airplane has no conscience, so, it'd never know.

The airplane might not, and could care less. However, your insurance company might have another point of view.

Do it right, let someone fly the thing if you want it in the air that soon, then fly with a PIC in Phase 2. Else, just don't finish it until you get your medical back.

[BruceW]

Great responses. I have literally had every one of these thoughts
at some point along the line. Doesnt help me decide, but at least
I know I am not alone.