REFLECTOR: Successful first flight for N173VS

[Jack Prock]

Congrats!!! Your project just turned into an airplane!!



From: Geoff Gerhardt 
Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2012 4:10 PM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list 
Subject: REFLECTOR: Successful first flight for N173VS

Guys, 

Just as I did with my wife, I'll tell you all first off that I had a successful first flight today.  There were a couple issues, but nothing serious (although one did cause some nervousness during flight).  I'd been putzing around most of the week doing high-speed taxis and checking and re-checking trying to build my confidence in this beast I built.  Finally, today, after a couple high-speed taxis and hops I had no more excuses.  I'd pushed it as much as I could on the ground without any issues, so it was time to take it around the pattern.  I got a bit anxious on the climb out and got the nose a bit high.  I've got a pretty "long" prop, so after I realized I need to build some speed before climbing and put the nose down, things got better (still not great climb, tho, but I suspect its what can be expected from a 68x74 prop).  When I raised the gear, the gear unsafe light stayed on.  I didn't think to turn around and look at the main gear legs, I just figured something wasn't quite sitting right in flight.  I did one loop around the pattern and when I prepared to land and lowered the gear, all green.  With the speed brake down, I dropped it down in a tight pattern and had a nice, smooth landing.  The airport ops guys know me here (KORH) and heard on the radio I was doing first flight.  I had told them I'd let them know when I was going to do it so they could get the emergency gear ready (KORH is a real slow class D - they're looking for some excitement).  I decided not to tell them, tho, as I didn't want any pressure if I got to the runway and wasn't comfortable.  Anyway, they heard me announce on the radio, so they scrambled the trucks - I saw them driving back as I taxied in.

Oil temp was fine (it was only ~78F on the field, tho).  One cylinder got a little hot, but cooled down fine when I leveled off - I'll have to keep an eye on that.  Its all a bit of a blur now, I suspect I'll be noticing things a bit more on future flights once I settle down a bit.  Took awhile to stop smiling...

Geoff



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