chepburn
Well Known Member
A weird subject line I know.... but it's not about going above Mach 1 in my RV-8, it's about my trials and tribulations as a low time pilot doing his phase I. (This a long post, I might ramble a bit)
First, I took transition training with Mike Seager last June... I tried to time it close to my completion of the RV-8, but, as many of you more experienced builders know, that's pretty much impossible. First flight: Oct 30 under the able control of Kevin Horton.
Decision 1: Although transition trained, I felt I had insufficient skill to handle an emergency situation on the first flight. I based that decision on if I thought I would be 'learning how to fly' vs 'flying the airplane', it would be wise to get someone else to do the honors. (Also, the CARS in Canada require the PC of the aircraft have 100 hours on type to do the first 5 hours. -- my time on Oct 30th as P1 power: 83.)
OK, everything went well for Kevin, we had a few glitches that I've already posted about earlier.
Now, my turn... Nov 15 2011. I was taught by Mike to 3-point on landing. I was told that with 50 lbs in the baggage compartment, the 8 will fly much like the 7. So, 50 lbs it is. I took off, went out local and did a few stalls, slow flight, and turning slow flight flaps up and down. Back to the airport... with all the talk on here about how hard it was to 3point an 8, I was thinking about Mikes advice on final. 75 knots over the fence.....holding offffffffffff, boink (small one) stick in the gut rolling out. Easy Peasy. (and pretty much a 3point like Mike said it would be) BIG SMILE.
Decision 2: Listen to your transition instructor. Do what he said. It worked.
Flight 2 was a non event again... but now flight 3.
I took off, went to do some speed test runs..slow flight, turns, etc. Came back to the field and there was a bit of a crosswind from the north. (about 5-7 knots of component) 75 over the fence...holding offf....boink..WTF! Thats the edge of the runway looking at me..rudder, other rudder, OTHER RUDDER. ****!!!! SETTLE DOWN!!! Take control...the RV8 flies much better than I do... I was pretty much PIOing from side to side...didn't ground loop, but that was a bit too exciting.
What happened? I got the TW down, but I got kicked by the crosswind, over-controlled, and kept over-controlling until I told myself to relax.
Decision 3: No more flying with a crosswind component > 5 knots for a while. This was a tough one to make...some might say that I should have jumped on the horse and went right back to the crosswind. This is where I was coming from: Folks here say that Phase I is not the place to do circuit training. I tend to agree...especially with a newly overhauled engine. So what's a guy to do? I have to test fly the plane, and I STILL have to land it. Well be patient. And, its winter now ... -10 to -20C outside. Not fun to fix any snags. ...
Well, I kept flying over the winter...the weather cooperated with my cross wind limit about once every few weeks on the weekends. I tried to go every time..
Now it's the end of March and I have managed to accumulate 17 hours on the airplane. I feel jealous of a bunch of other more experienced pilots down south flying off Phase 1 wayyyyy faster than me. Oh well.
It's time to conquer my demon. You can guess what it is....a low time pilot (and very low time TW pilot) not wanting to bend an airplane he spent so much time on. It's time for circuits...I need a good component 7 - 10kts but not too gusty. I got what I wanted on March 31. Off I go, and it's circuits. Up and down...this time less flap, forward slip.... and not a 3 point but tail low wheelie. Not bad, I played with not feeding rudder and letting the airplane do its thing...hmm not so good. Next time around take control more...a little better. I did an hour of those and called it a day.
Next more xwind and gusts. It was about 65 deg off runway at 10 gusting 17. Off I go. This time, a little more of a wheelie and try to land on one wheel and slowly let the other drop....hey its NOT That bad! I have good directional control. I'm feeling better...I can hear the demon screamin outa here.
Decision 4: Practise patience. There's no rush to finish phase I, it will be done when its done. I've got a lot of years ahead to enjoy my airplane.
Thanks Mike for the great transition training. Thanks everyone here for the information I needed to conquer my demons.
P.S .Just got back from the airport ...another hour in....more tomorrow.
First, I took transition training with Mike Seager last June... I tried to time it close to my completion of the RV-8, but, as many of you more experienced builders know, that's pretty much impossible. First flight: Oct 30 under the able control of Kevin Horton.
Decision 1: Although transition trained, I felt I had insufficient skill to handle an emergency situation on the first flight. I based that decision on if I thought I would be 'learning how to fly' vs 'flying the airplane', it would be wise to get someone else to do the honors. (Also, the CARS in Canada require the PC of the aircraft have 100 hours on type to do the first 5 hours. -- my time on Oct 30th as P1 power: 83.)
OK, everything went well for Kevin, we had a few glitches that I've already posted about earlier.
Now, my turn... Nov 15 2011. I was taught by Mike to 3-point on landing. I was told that with 50 lbs in the baggage compartment, the 8 will fly much like the 7. So, 50 lbs it is. I took off, went out local and did a few stalls, slow flight, and turning slow flight flaps up and down. Back to the airport... with all the talk on here about how hard it was to 3point an 8, I was thinking about Mikes advice on final. 75 knots over the fence.....holding offffffffffff, boink (small one) stick in the gut rolling out. Easy Peasy. (and pretty much a 3point like Mike said it would be) BIG SMILE.
Decision 2: Listen to your transition instructor. Do what he said. It worked.
Flight 2 was a non event again... but now flight 3.
I took off, went to do some speed test runs..slow flight, turns, etc. Came back to the field and there was a bit of a crosswind from the north. (about 5-7 knots of component) 75 over the fence...holding offf....boink..WTF! Thats the edge of the runway looking at me..rudder, other rudder, OTHER RUDDER. ****!!!! SETTLE DOWN!!! Take control...the RV8 flies much better than I do... I was pretty much PIOing from side to side...didn't ground loop, but that was a bit too exciting.
What happened? I got the TW down, but I got kicked by the crosswind, over-controlled, and kept over-controlling until I told myself to relax.
Decision 3: No more flying with a crosswind component > 5 knots for a while. This was a tough one to make...some might say that I should have jumped on the horse and went right back to the crosswind. This is where I was coming from: Folks here say that Phase I is not the place to do circuit training. I tend to agree...especially with a newly overhauled engine. So what's a guy to do? I have to test fly the plane, and I STILL have to land it. Well be patient. And, its winter now ... -10 to -20C outside. Not fun to fix any snags. ...
Well, I kept flying over the winter...the weather cooperated with my cross wind limit about once every few weeks on the weekends. I tried to go every time..
Now it's the end of March and I have managed to accumulate 17 hours on the airplane. I feel jealous of a bunch of other more experienced pilots down south flying off Phase 1 wayyyyy faster than me. Oh well.
It's time to conquer my demon. You can guess what it is....a low time pilot (and very low time TW pilot) not wanting to bend an airplane he spent so much time on. It's time for circuits...I need a good component 7 - 10kts but not too gusty. I got what I wanted on March 31. Off I go, and it's circuits. Up and down...this time less flap, forward slip.... and not a 3 point but tail low wheelie. Not bad, I played with not feeding rudder and letting the airplane do its thing...hmm not so good. Next time around take control more...a little better. I did an hour of those and called it a day.
Next more xwind and gusts. It was about 65 deg off runway at 10 gusting 17. Off I go. This time, a little more of a wheelie and try to land on one wheel and slowly let the other drop....hey its NOT That bad! I have good directional control. I'm feeling better...I can hear the demon screamin outa here.
Decision 4: Practise patience. There's no rush to finish phase I, it will be done when its done. I've got a lot of years ahead to enjoy my airplane.
Thanks Mike for the great transition training. Thanks everyone here for the information I needed to conquer my demons.
P.S .Just got back from the airport ...another hour in....more tomorrow.