I am proud to announce the first flight of my RV6 C-GRIV on January 6, 2009. Beside a couple of minor glitches everything went well. The aircraft flies straight and the engine and prop performed flawlessly! I started the project in January of 1992 so I think I qualify as a slow builder building a slow kit!
The aircraft had been ready to fly since december 24, but the holidays, work, weather and insurance stopped me from flying sooner. No rush after 17 years and 2750 hrs of work!
So on the 6th, the runway in Lachute, Quebec was free of ice, the plane was ready, my brain was cleared from the holidays, important people were available and the weather was perfect for a first flight in January in Canada. It was -5°C even though it looks like it was very cold from the pictures.
I was really impressed on take off by the fast acceleration, in fact the plane was ready to fly before I was! And It kept climbing at 2500 ft/min even at a 120 mph cruise climb speed. I circle the airport for 10 minutes at 2500 ft and found out that my SL40 Com wouldn't transmit anymore, just a "squeal" when pressing the PTT. I decided to leave the airport area anyway and did 2 approaches to stall to confirm my approach speed and finally I did 2 stalls; 1 clean and 1 with full flaps. Both were non events with straight ahead break and no warning like I was expecting. Returning to the airport my radio decided to work normally
The approach and landing were flown normally with a decent touchdown! Lucky....I have to say I got some training with Jan Bussell in Florida in October and we did maybe 40 landings.... well worth it!
The aircraft is powered by an overhaul Lycoming O360A1F6D with counterweight crankshaft and a Hartzell Blended airfoil prop. This gives a very smooth combo. The panel has standard steam gauges that were bought new, before EFIS even existed for homebuilt. I also have a SL40 Com, Garmin 327 transponder, Lowrance 2000C GPS and MicroMonitor for engine info. The interior has the full Classic Aero leather treatment.
I plan to finish the wheelpants and fairings this spring. I will also add some vinyl stickers to finish the exterior. I went back for a thorough inspection on the aircraft and especially the engine and everything was still where it's supposed to be. When the temperature gets warmer, (we almost broke a record last night at -34°C) I will go back for a 2 hrs flight to continue the engine breakin.
The day after the first flight I had to go to work flying the bigbus to the Caribbean but in my head I was still flying my little 2 seat flying carpet...
I would like to thank all my family and friends who believed in me all these years. My wife's birthday was also on the 6th and I stole the show from her. At least now I will remember her birthdate.
You can check a video of the first flight here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi5iiY37XIE
You can also see pictures here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/denislrv6/2009_01_06#
I have been "lurking" the forums for years but this is my first post!
Denis L.
RV6 Flying
Lachute, Quebec
RV-6 First flight in Quebec
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