First Flight, Test Dummy

[apkp777]

Originally Posted by Mel

That's why we have flight advisors. Your flight advisor will help you evaluate whether or not you should do the first flight. MOST of the time, it is highly recommended that you let a more qualified individual perform that all important flight. A more experienced pilot will have the expertise to concentrate on an unexpected problem and flying the airplane will be second nature.
Look at it this way, if you let Kurt make the first flight, you will have two first flights. One for the airplane and one for you.

Yep, that's my feelings completely. I will solicit some advice from my EAA Chapter members and talk to a Flight Adviser.

[dhall_polo]

I had a pro do my first flight, and I flew alongside in a friend's rv7 watching my machine from the air. It could not have been any sweeter a victory. I think I enjoyed it much more than I would have had I been flying.

[Rick_A]

I also did not do the first flight and have no regrets. My brother had hundreds of hours in his -7A and he checked my workmanship while I was building. I figured it would be a lot more obvious to him if something wasn't quite right. It was a tough decision but I'd do it the same way again.

Even though my 1st flight was #2 for plane, it was still just as exciting for me.

[L.Adamson]

My "mentor" , who is not technically a flight advisor; yet a two time RV builder and EAA Chapter president.............started taking me up in his 9A for additional transition time......as a way of pushing me into getting my almost finished 6A finished and signed off. I'd gotten a bit rusty in four years since my last RV flights. He said I wasn't "walking and chewing gum" at the same time. He was right, so we kept going up for more hours on the hobbs.

Making that first flight, was just something I wanted to do. It was important to "me" that I'd do it. When the morning came, I was a bit apprehensive, but after one high speed taxi run to check it's tracking down the runway..... I felt comfortable enough to taxi back & takeoff. A few times around the pattern, and I landed. After a good checkout, and celebration breakfast with the family, I once again took off on a cross country (1 hr. each way) with my friend and his wife following in their RV. This was over barren desert area that allowed high engine rpms for breakin, and a much better test area than the subdivisions around my airport.

It's been nearly two years now, and I'm glad it was myself that did the first flight. In my case, the engine had been run at Lycoming, but that was 12 years previously. Prior to the first flight, we had run it a few times and did some magneto checks and adjusting...........as I had moved one to get to a bolt, which put it out of adjustment.

So the way I look at it...................is get the additional transition time required to feel as comfortable as possible to fly it yourself, or have someone else do it. I figured that after 12 years of building, that another month or two wouldn't make much difference.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[Ironflight]

Tony,

As Flight Adviser, I am glad that Mel posted what he did - going and talking this over with another FA is the best way to determine your own individual situation. How First Flight incidents turn out rarely have anything to do with a pilot's stick and rudder skills, but rather with how they react to distractions and strange indications - which might or might not be indicative of a real issue. So the important thing is to know how you react to the unexpected - emotionally or logically.

I hear lots of folks that say that they couldn't imagine giving the airplane's first flight to someone else - this is generally an emotional reaction. I certainly can imagine it, and did. I then went through a logical process to determine if I should. This is the fundamental process a good FA should go through as well. Many people ARE qualified to do their own first flights - having someone help you through the process is much better than trying to decided based on what others have done.

Paul

[apkp777]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

So the important thing is to know how you react to the unexpected - emotionally or logically.Paul

That's my big concern, the emotional attachment to the plane may blur my decision making in an emergency. It just seems wise to have another pilot make the first flight. Really whether more qualified or not. Either way, I and my plane with have our first flight together at some point.

[slyfox]

not to be a smart one, but you are still going to have a first flight.

[JonJay]

...and you are going about it the right way asking the questions and evaluating your skills/risk.
I have been involved in many first flights, my own, and in chase/safety mode. There is no wrong decision as long as you qualify yourself as mentioned by above.

I was going to make that first flight, whatever it took. I had bundles of tailwheel time and a few hours in type with no takeoffs or landings. So, an hour with Mike Seager in the 7 and when he said "go fly your airplane". That was all I needed to here. If it took two days and many hours with Mike, I would have done it until I heard those magic words.
Get your transition training from a trusted source, a flight advisor opinion, them make your own decision.

There is something very special about taking the bird you built on its maiden voyage. You only have one shot to do that, but that does not mean it is the right or only thing to do.