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Date: Thu, 04 May 2006 10:51:11 -0400
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From: Richard Walden <rwalden@sarasotagrowers.com>
Subject: Success!!
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Yes YES Y-E-S!   N301ES has successfully made its' first flight!

After getting the FAA sign-off last Friday, the Composite Aircraft 
Consulting group (aka Mark Mahnke and Associates) worked day and night to 
prep for the first flight.  Nearly 30 items had surfaced that had to be 
addressed before flight.  We fixed.  We did tethered run-ups.  We cleaned 
and adjusted.  We swapped out parts.  Fortunately this was done at Redmond 
Airport so Lancair was there with needed components and advice.  A recently 
available avionics tech came in early and late to tweak the panel.  Oil 
spray smoke and smell reduced to non-existence.

Wednesday afternoon approached, but our scheduled test pilot was called 
away.  Things looked bleak, until Pete Zaccacnino (HPAT) stepped in and 
took over for the first flight.  An in-depth review of our records and an 
inspection of the plane led to a high speed taxi and then a beautiful full 
power take off.  Engine ran beautifully, climb was quick, and the plane 
flew straight and level with no low-wing tendency.  Pete taxied back to the 
hanger where we tore off the cowling, to be greeted by a clean and still 
beautiful engine.  No problems Mate!

During the next couple weeks we'll wring out the plane, putting it through 
high and low speed tests, loaded heavy and light, and take it up to the 
flight levels.

Oh - you guys have to hear that 4-bladed MT prop - it whistles like a 
turbine.

Robert Simon