Monday, September 16, 2013

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Best Day in the life of an RV-12 builder

Thanks to my fellow EAA 1114 members Dan Kagan and Peter Van Schalkwyck we have a series of Videos they took on this memorable day

Arrrival of Peter Van Schalkwyck, the Waiex chase plane pilot:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9NFBtZVdJU1FBMk0/edit?usp=sharing

Pre-flight briefings between chase plane and test pilot:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9RUZGTFlzUGNkWkU/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9ZVJPWUk2cEdnVDg/edit?usp=sharing

Let's go flying this bird:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9RUtzOHNiWWFpNnc/edit?usp=sharing

Taxiing to runway 23 at "North Executive Triangle Airport" (LHZ for the pilots)
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9UG95dUo1ekZzakE/edit?usp=sharing

Down the taxiway to RWY 23
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9eks0aUFYLVVQdXc/edit?usp=sharing

And off they go!
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9Wk1DTTd4V2xJTTQ/edit?usp=sharing

Watching from the sideline:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9OUpTRk9MUGoydFE/edit?usp=sharing

They are coming back!
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9aUV0S3JHSzhyQnc/edit?usp=sharing

... and landing:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9X1QxX1lqb0ZsYlk/edit?usp=sharing

Debriefing time:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9QjctVTdGVGVIeEU/edit?usp=sharing

... and it takes doughnuts to get the test pilot out of my plane!
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9Smd4R2pvSFhjVlk/edit?usp=sharing

Peter is leaving, got to go back to work after a job well done:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9Smd4R2pvSFhjVlk/edit?usp=sharing




Wednesday, September 11, 2013

9/11/2013 : N124BX is Flying!

We had a great day and a great crew for the maiden flight of N124BX, RV-12 serial number 395.
We had a cute chase plane: Peter Van Schalckwyk flying his home built Waiex, member EAA 1114
We had a motivated test pilot : Stephen Merrit, member EAA 1114
My wife, Michele, Dan Kagan RV-12 builder, member EAA 1114, Rick Penke the airport A&P shop owner/manager with his crew and myself were among the bystanders enjoying the show.
It was a perfect flight and the plane lived up to its reputation, easy to fly and solid as a rock.
... and the good news: nothing to rework, the plane is flying straight and level, no wedge on the rudder, no pinching of the flapperons, what more could I ask for? Yes flying N124BX myself which will happen next week after Steve is done with the fly-off period of 5 hours.

Preparing to leave:

At runway 23 Threshold
We have lift-off!

Way to go , Steve!


Landing after a 30 minutes flight

"Solid as a rock" is the diagnostic of Steve Merritt, the test pilot

Here is a more detailed debriefing that Steve gave us on the spot:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzXL9s0_bVi9WXVrZUQ3bVZZTEk/edit?usp=sharing
Great job Steve! (but I thought he would never get off my plane!)