Steve,
Congrats again...you built a wonderful airplane!
We had a fun time final-prepping and flying, and got the first three flights in on Saturday (.6, .6, .7), before the airport got more restrictive for the Air Races today (Sunday). Steve had just returned from transition training in Oregon, and we were both excited to get his nice -7 flying!
Friday we did another thorough inspection together, along with a multiple-offender RV-8 buddy and local guru, Scott. All looked good, so we did another engine run, then cooled and cowled, and did a taxi test (to 30mph...we've seen the threads and heard the stories on that and stayed conservative). I taxied out, Steve taxied back, so we could both get the feel. Airplane tracked straight and true, rudder was slightly effective, brakes burned in nicely, airspeed matched the GPS groundspeed...looked and felt good to us, so we put 'er to bed to rest up for the first flight.
Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous morning...perfect for a test flight. Steve shot this from the back seat of Scott's 8, who is also a former F-4 guy and adept at formation, so he was the perfect chase pilot...there, but not in the way or a distraction.
Rare Bear thought the conditions were pefect too, and on flight 2 we shared the test area, me at 7500' and him at 8500'. Kinda cool! Here's a shot of Steve's plane on flight 1:
We made a few adjustments, mostly to the aileron trim, which was slipping back to neutral, so we tightened the block that held the trim, and changed the trim springs, as one was "sprung". Then off on flight 2. Great flying machine, for sure. A bit lighter on the controls than mine, and a delight to fly. We'll get that heavy wing sorted out, but it was really fun to fly...I wanted to hog more time, but it was time for Steve to fly his baby! Here's his first approach & landing (done nicely, I might add!)
And as he taxied in, you can already see the grin!
Here's the RV grin...4 years of blood, sweat and tears...well deserved!
A great day...out havin' RV fun!
Some quick thanks to Scott, Dan, Walt, Greg and Mike (the local team) and to Paul (Ironflight), Mel (Mel) and Brian (Brantel) for some great gouge on AC 90-89 and some words of wisdom from experience; and to Kahuna, for publishing your test cards...going to good use again!!
Congrats again Steve...enjoy flying your beautiful RV-7!
Cheers,
Bob
First Flight of N92BF RV-7A
My friend Bob Mills flew the first couple of flights, and reported back that it flew very well with the exception of a heavy right wing, but was easily controlled. I then flew the 3rd flight and came back with a RV Grin that didn't come off for two days!!!!! 
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