Return-Path: Sender: (Marvin Kaye) To: lml Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 11:32:22 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from imo-r08.mx.aol.com ([152.163.225.104] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.0b7) with ESMTP id 1710940 for lml@lancaironline.net; Sat, 24 Aug 2002 10:52:18 -0400 Received: from JOSCALES@aol.com by imo-r08.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v33.5.) id q.30.2be23f38 (25914) for ; Sat, 24 Aug 2002 10:52:11 -0400 (EDT) From: JOSCALES@aol.com X-Original-Message-ID: <30.2be23f38.2a98f79a@aol.com> X-Original-Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 10:52:10 EDT Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Test Flight X-Original-To: lml@lancaironline.net MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="part1_30.2be23f38.2a98f79a_boundary" X-Mailer: AOL 7.0 for Windows US sub 10509 --part1_30.2be23f38.2a98f79a_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Jim, I fly a Lancair Super ES and have for going on three years. I feel very comfortable in the plane and am confident of its performance and limitations. However, this was not always the case. When my plane was ready to test fly I chose a test pilot who was familiar with that type of plane for several reasons: -I was not trained in unusual attitudes in the ES, I had never flown an ES so had no idea how it would act, I didn't want the "builder's pride" to hinder my analysis of any problems or potential bad situations, I had never test flown anything so didn't know how to progressively approach the limits for stalls, slow flight or any other area of the envelope that could kill me or, worse, damage my pretty plane. -I had no ideas about what "normal" operation meant so could not efficiently interpret the engine numbers, control pressures and feedback, sounds or vibrations. -I had no idea what to expect when the plane stalled as far as dropping a wing or acting funny. I had no training that would allow me to deal with either of those potential events. -I had/have a wonderful family, a good business, and, in general, a pretty good life. I was not willing to bet it that I could learn all these things in a matter of minutes should the need arise to save my butt. I don't know what your test pilot qualifications are. I am assuming from your statements that you have a background that is different from most homebuilders and that you are fully experienced and can address all the possible problems that could come up in a test flight. Most of the rest of us either don't have that background or consider the risk not worth the reward of that"first flight". I would be interested to know of your experiences. What plane(s) have you built and test flown? How did every thing go? Any surprises, problems, events? What is your aviation background? How did you come to have your perspective on pilots who choose not to "test fly" but still have the desire to build a plane? As for me, I sought advice on test flying my plane. I read books and talked to other homebuilders. I knew there had to be a thrill to making that first flight but, on balance, decided to go with a pro. There are many sad stories about first flights that didn't work. Mine worked fine because, although it was my first flight, it wasn't the plane's first and I knew the plane wouldn't surprise me. Good luck with your flying. Jim Scales 98AF Lancair Super ES "Angel's Playmate" --part1_30.2be23f38.2a98f79a_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Jim,

I fly a Lancair Super ES and have for going on three years.  I feel very comfortable in the plane and am confident of its performance and limitations.  However, this was not always the case.  When my plane was ready to test fly I chose a test pilot who was familiar with that type of plane for several reasons:

-I was not trained in unusual attitudes in the ES, I had never flown an ES so had no idea how it would act, I didn't want the "builder's pride" to hinder my analysis of any problems or potential bad situations,  I had never test flown anything so didn't know how to progressively approach the limits for stalls, slow flight or any other area of the envelope that could kill me or, worse, damage my pretty plane.

-I had no ideas about what "normal" operation meant so could not efficiently interpret the engine numbers, control pressures and feedback, sounds or vibrations.

-I had no idea what to expect when the plane stalled as far as dropping a wing or acting funny.  I had no training that would allow me to deal with either of those potential events.

-I had/have a wonderful family, a good business, and, in general, a pretty good life.  I was not willing to bet it that I could learn all these things in a matter of minutes should the need arise to save my butt.

I don't know what your test pilot qualifications are.  I am assuming from your statements that you have a background that is different from most homebuilders and that you are fully experienced and can address all the possible problems that could come up in a test flight.  Most of the rest of us either don't have that background or consider the risk not worth the reward of that"first flight".

I would be interested to know of your experiences.  What plane(s) have you built and test flown?  How did every thing go?  Any surprises, problems, events?  What is your aviation background?  How did you come to have your perspective on pilots who choose not to "test fly" but still have the desire to build a plane?

As for me, I sought advice on test flying my plane. I read books and talked to other homebuilders.  I knew there had to be a thrill to making that first flight but, on balance, decided to go with a pro.  There are many sad stories about first flights that didn't work.  Mine worked fine because, although it was my first flight, it wasn't the plane's first and I knew the plane wouldn't surprise me.

Good luck with your flying. 

Jim Scales
98AF Lancair Super ES
"Angel's Playmate" --part1_30.2be23f38.2a98f79a_boundary--