Another one Takes flight.

vic syracuse · #1 07-01-2008, 08:46 PM

]A VAN'S RV-7A kit that is! N84VC, SN#71248 took to the sky tonight for an uneventful first flight. I will get Carol to post pictures tomorrow, but for those of you who are wondering here are some numbers:

New VAN's O-360-A1A engine sent to Barrett for porting, balancing, flow matching, 9:1 piston. Dynoed at 189. Performed wonderfully tonight! Thanks Allan and Rhonda!!!

Max temps were 420 on climb out to 3200' (field altitude 840'). Oil temp max during the entire 55 minute flight at full throttle and 2500 rpm was 191 with OAT of 85F at takeoff. Fuel flow was 14-15 gph, almost 20 gph at takeoff power, and I was at high power to set the rings. I did check 23" and 2370 and that was 9.6gph swinging an MT 3-blade. Very pleased with the oil temp. I did the firewall mounted oil cooler (having done that before on a 6 with great resuts, 3" scat tube with the flipper valve for cold weather ops). TAS was 162 knots at 3000' (DA 4000).

As luck would have it , Mark Strahler who now owns my 6 with a O-360 A1A came flying by when I was up on the test flight. We built that one with a van's engine and it now has about 800 hours and a Hartzell 2 blade) and he could not keep up with me when I was at 25" and 2600 rpm), so I am not seeing any speed loss with the MT 3-blade. This is just a first flight, so let's not draw any conclusions. Our indicated speed did match, and we have both had the required pitot/static calibrations.

Takeoff and landing felt very comfortable. Picture perfect landing (if I must say so myself, but there are pictures to prove it!). I did change the nosewheel to the Grove nosewheel, as I do not like the friction of the Matco, and I fly off of a grass strip). Taxi and landing felt very stable, much like the 10.
I am very excited to be flying again!!! 1100 build hours since last Septemter, mostly 25 hour week ends, so we are VERY tired and looking forward to flying again. The plan is to make OSH.
For those of you who remember my panel from the 10, it is exactly the same in the 7A---dual Cheltons, Garmin 430, Dynon, Sorcerer, SL-30. It made the first flight less complicated! I understood all of the avionics.

Carol pointed out that if you look real closely at the landing picture, there is an RV grin you can make out in the nose cowling on the airiplane. Must have been the lighting, but I think the airplane is happy to be flying, too!
These are really great airplanes, but of course all of you know that already! That's why you are on this list!

Vic

Geico266 · #2 07-01-2008, 08:50 PM

Can't wait to see it Vic.

Congrats.

osxuser · #3 07-01-2008, 09:20 PM

I thought this was another nosewheel thread... maybe consider a less ambiguous thread title

. Congrats.

vic syracuse · #4 07-02-2008, 04:04 AM

Sorry. I had Queen playing in the hangar while I was doing the reassembly after the inspection, and "another one bites the dust" had a new meaning.

I've changed it.

Vic

Jamie · #5 07-02-2008, 05:07 AM

Hey Vic.

Congrats! Can't wait to see it!

DeltaRomeo · #6 07-02-2008, 05:54 AM

Your -10 was beautiful (saw it about two weeks ago at the pump in Bridgeport, TX) so I know your -7A will be awesome also.

Wishing thousands of safe, happy flights,
d

Kahuna · #7 07-02-2008, 06:05 AM

Vic,
Your a building animal. Whats this your 6th airplane you have built?
Suprised you built the sissy wheel after the 4 & 6 time you have.
Guess your getting older

Congrats. Maybe see you back out with us one day.
Best,

vic syracuse · #8 07-02-2008, 06:13 AM

Kahuna, I am looking forward to flying form again! I built the n/w because I picked this one up from a person on the North side who had already started it, and he had the gear leg sockets in already.
This is actually number 7. Need to take a break for a while. 1100 hours since September on week ends only has been a lot of work!

Vic

rgbewley · #9 07-02-2008, 07:22 AM

Huge Congratulations from us!! Sounds like an excellent first flight. Will look forward to seeing you at OSH. Knots up! Rhonda

RV7Guy · #10 07-02-2008, 07:34 AM

That is really making time!! 1100 hours since September!!! I also got bit by the bug and my next project arrives Friday. Can't wait to get into that. This one should go quicker since I have a little more knowledge and "experience" from the first one. It is a 7 slider. Current is a 7 Tip up. Even in the short 2.5 years I've been flying mine, the change in avionics has been significant.

I also plan to have Barrett build a fire breather for me.