To all who have posted - Thank You !!!
Our 7 has taken 6 years, not the quickest, not the slowest.
My Brother and I have had other projects along the way and got sidetracked from time to time, however the last 3 months has been pretty full on mainly due to Mark Browning beating us into the air.........
Yes, I was very familiar with the airplane prior to the first flight, for those who have followed other posts, the engine, electrics and prop were tested about 6 months ago. When we were complete, inspected and ready for flight, I did a couple of carefully prepped accel - stops, the reason was to bed in the brakes, familiarise myself with the acceleration, steering and systems - it threw up a minor fuel weep on a union and a couple of other minor snags which we attended to before the first flight.
I have given check rides on RV's before and am comfortable how they handle, I am a 15,000 hour commercial Captain, however that kinda means jack because that is mainly reading the newspaper, drinking tea and telling lies and tall stories....
None the less - that Wednesday was something special.
Sadly, I had lost a good friend - Mike Todd, Air Canada and Skyservice Captain a couple of days before. Mike followed the build, he was passionate about flying, a consummate professional and a good friend. Hence the reference prior to the take off.
The take off was very straightforward - the wiggle was just me making sure things were attached and no funny noises.
Couple of things - No 4 CHT ran a bit warm, around 420, the oil pressure was a bit high prior to take off, about 95psi and the oil temp never got over 160.
However - Oh Boy, Mr Vangrunsven - you make a sweet airplane !
It did exactly what I was expecting, it flew, true and straight.
After the first few minutes, all was well and I figured I had to make sure the ailerons were OK............. They were
Stalls - no problem, even with full flap which is the third one.
Low approach and go around may have been a little fast but I now know that the airplane is quite slippery
Final approach was on the money - 65kts down the slope to a typical RV skip landing.
We managed 6 fights in the day, we have now blanked most of the oil cooler and the CHT is lower and the oil temp is higher. We are in winter here with temperatures in the 50' and below.
Now it is wait time - we had a foot of snow last week , I am just back from 2 days in Barbados where there was less snow than at home - well, the frosty sort at least.
The comments made on this thread really show what a magical and unique fellowship we have and share.
Biggest thanks go to:
Dan Checkoway - such a resource, thank you
Walter Tondu - your dirty Martini's gave me the worst hangover I ever had, however the Japanese was awesome and the flying great.
Dan Horton - well, just for being there and providing such good advice.
Doug someone.... he does a website I think - kinda good, not bad for an amateur.
Mahlon at Mattituck - for answering all the dumb questions we sent.
My Brother - because we built an awesome airplane.
OK - enough, my RV8 kit has left the factory, I will be busy by January and I have some flying to do.
Gents (and Ladies) - Thank You
