Flight Test Phase Complete - Finally!

Kevin Horton · #1 10-01-2009, 06:16 PM

I dropped the paperwork off at the Transport Canada regional office on Monday, so they could review it and issue me a Special Certificate of Airworthiness that didn't have the "No Passengers" or "Remain within 25 nm of Smiths Falls airport" restrictions. The new paperwork was ready today, and my course finished earlier than expected, so I zipped over there and picked it up. YeeHaw!!

And to cap it all off, they also removed the "VFR Only" and "No Aerobatics" restrictions. I had discussed my intentions to ask for those restrictions to be removed with the inspector, and had detailed the methodical approach I would take to fully evaluate the aircraft in each of these areas. He must have been quite happy with the approach I planned, as the new paperwork has removed those restrictions too.

It's been a very protracted flight test program. First flight on 30 Aug 2008, and finally out of the flight test phase 13 months later. Four months lost after the engine/prop overspeed event, and six months lost after the car accident, but finally out of the official flight test phase. I still have lots of flight testing I plan to do over the next few months, but I've done everything I intended to do before I started carrying passengers.

I want to take Terry up for her first RV flight ASAP, but we are stuck in the middle of a long spell of horrible weather. Nothing but low overcast cloud and rain showers. It might break for a few hours on Friday, but I've got a meeting from 10 AM to 4 PM, then a flight simulator session that won't end until around 10 PM. Drat. Hopefully the weekend will be better than the current forecast.

N941WR · #2 10-01-2009, 06:31 PM

Kevin,

That is great news! Congrats to you and Terry!

David-aviator · #3 10-01-2009, 06:35 PM

Well, all that's good news, Kevin.

Congrats on getting it done (and recovering from the auto wreck, it was you who got smashed up some time ago, right?)

Geico266 · #4 10-01-2009, 06:46 PM

Well Done Kevin.

mannanj · #5 10-01-2009, 06:58 PM

Glad you're finally back "in the groove"! Hope to see you again next year at OSH.

If you're ever in North Georgia, (or even in S. GA.) let us know. I'll bet there's a bunch of RV'rs that would love to meet with you and check out your machine.

Jamie · #6 10-01-2009, 07:05 PM

Kevin:

Wow, that's great to hear! I have been following your saga from afar (via these forums) since your overspeed incident. Your persistence is truly inspirational. Hopefully the fall Ottawa skies will cooperate. Best of luck.

Are you going to repeat the same test card that led to the prop overspeed?

Mark Burns · #7 10-01-2009, 07:07 PM

Kevin,
Great to hear the good news! You've had a bit trouble over the last year for sure. I hope it's going to be all good for you from here on out.

Is Terry about healed up from the car accident? I seem to remember it was her back that was the problem.

Hope to see you guys at Oshkosh next year!

Mark

N8RV · #8 10-01-2009, 07:23 PM

OK, Kevin, so I'm an evil person. I am secretly tickled inside that you and I will both make our first trips to Oshkosh in our RV-8s the same year! It's been a very long haul for us both -- yours just a wee bit more adventuresome.

Congrats on getting everything done. I'm getting there ... slowly but surely.

Now, don't go do something stupid. Forget looking for all the nooks and crannies of the envelope. GO FLY THE STUPID PLANE!

Congratulations, buddy.

TSwezey · #9 10-01-2009, 08:38 PM

Kevin,
I glad both you and your wife are both healthy enough to go flying again! Glad you got the hours flown off! Hope to see you Osh if not sooner should you be heading back to Savannah again.
Congrats again!

Ironflight · #10 10-01-2009, 09:32 PM

Enjoy the Freedom Kevin..enjoy the freedom!