Why does this sort of thing not get checked before first flight. Its an easy thing to do. Not to beat you up, but this wasn't your avionics shops fault. This should have been caught before the airplane rolled on that first takeoff.
I did check. I did the standard check, passed a air blast in front of the Pitot. AS indicator operated apparently normal. Took it to have the Pitot/Static check done to help me rest assured that it was perfect and accurate. It passed and I was told it was very accurate. Saw indication when I did my high speed taxi test.
Started my take off roll, which in an RV -9 takes about 4 seconds MAX, glanced at my AS saw 25 kts, thought to myself "airspeed alive" was airborne, AS flickered and went to ZERO.
Apparently when the AOA and AS lines are crossed AOA can give you an AS Indication. Don't ask me how as I have no idea.
Still, it took such a short time to be airborne I wasn't going to abort a takeoff, which would be worse potentially. Besides and A/S indicator is just that, an INDICATOR. Could be accurate, could be not. Until you flight test you have no idea. I had other A/S indicator's in the cockpit. Two GPS groundspeed indicators plus headwind component, my eyes, my ears and my butt.
The FAA got wind of what happened in my situation and I got a visit from them. I told the inspector exactly what happened and he agreed I did all that I could do. He was PO'd at the AV shop for either not discovering the problem or creating the problem. In either case his comment was that "you spend $350 for a Pitot check, you would think your pitot would work". Of course, I have an A&P and Avionics license, so maybe I should have rechecked their work. I can't say I know anyone that would. Shoot a bumble be or a bird can takeout a pitot probe. Your never assured you'll have it.
To be honest. Other than the FAR requirement I have no problem flying without an A/S indicator in VFR. I do have a lot of flight time in all types of aircraft. Single, Multi, complex. Once I realized that the A/S was TU, I thought "hmmm, now I wonder what caused that, I'll have to figure that out". Not for one second did it cause me any grief. All of my flight students get training from me doing touch and goes without airspeed indication. I probably have a hundred hours in that configuration.
Now, I do NOT recommend that people do their first flight. I do NOT believe in the mantra, "She's my plane, I'll be the first to fly it." As if your plane actually knew who was flying it. In my situation I had a test pilot lined up. However, my insurance would not cover him. Not for the plane and not for his life. I had NO concern that I would crash my plane. I had transition training days prior and I fly regularly. The emotional attachment is what causes some trouble. My flight instructor gave me his blessing.
I had an engine failure on takeoff when the o-320 in my Cherokee swallowed an exhaust valve on takeoff at 300 ft above the deck. You don't realize how you will deal with a real emergency until the real thought passes through your mind "this is the day I die". A good pilot relies on skill and training and most importantly a realist and cautious approach to flight. Calculating the risks and making necessary precautions. Not everyone has the same level of experience and therefore not the same required decisions.
Are there going to be problems on a first flight? Usually there are. I worked the flight line at Boeing and years at United and I can say the I have never seen a plane yet come out of the factory or for heavy maint. and not have issues.
I share my experiences not because I am an idiot and want people think I am a fool, but so that others can get some sort of benefit. Maybe someone will recheck their A/S. If they have an AOA, they need to know that it may pass a blow by check. And when you or someone else does maintenance you need to check their work and make sure it's safe for flight.
We had a 737 come out of maint. and the pilot took off and a roll of tape some how got stuck in the rudder pedals and he struggled with it. At least one flashlight has prevented a landing gear from coming down.
Murphy is alive and out to get us. for those that don't believe it, just take a look at the reports.
