It's not take offs that I worry about.....it's the controlled or
uncontrolled crash that get's my pucker factor too high to consider first
flight.

Curtis Krouse N753K

>      I agree with all written on the advantages of a test pilot, but I 'll
> put in my 2 cents from experience.  I've made 5 first flights in planes
from
> a Hummelbird to a Glassair, a KIS two place was my first at 52 hrs. total
> logged pilot hours and my experience was the same in all of them;  two
> seconds after lift-off I knew I had it, it was an airplane, piece of cake.
> If the plane is reasonably well built,  with CG in the recommended range,
on
> a calm day, with adequate runway, it's more a matter of nerve than skill.
> If you don't have the nerve...don't, but I'll bet that ES is a big 'ol
> pussycat to fly.  At 30 mph you'll be pretty much off the brakes and
> steering with rudder.  Another consideration;  if my plane had a major
> "flaw" that endangered or killed the test pilot,  I'd have trouble living
> with that.  OK guys, I've got my asbestos jammies on 8^).
>         Rich Kindig