Flight Testing

[pvalovich]

One concept to keep in mind is "...approach to..." - insert whatever you want after the term - stalls, g-loading, slow flight, etc. I knew the published -8A stall numbers, so on first flight did slow flight nowhere near stall. On subsequent flights I gradually lowered the clean and dirty slow flight test points, until I determined clean stall was 53 KIAS and dirty 49 KIAS. Became very comfortable flying just above 55 KIAS then went into a comprehensive stall test program - straight, turning, accelerated.

First determined that no matter what the attitude, my -8A is so honest that the default recovery technique is to let go (wind my watch). Eventually got into spins.

Same with g-loading and acro. 1/2 incremental g windup turns to 6 g's. (no need to go near to 6 g's regularly - I can do 2 1/2 g loops all day). Aileron rolls, wingovers, barrel rolls before getting into overhead maneuvers.

The point is to thoroughly learn the feel of the airplane in various flight regimes so as not to be warned - not surprised - especially in the pattern.