What a sight ! what a sound!!
Smooth and fast - MY airplane; my sweat and effort and anxiety. That moment
of exhilaration I'll remember, and know one of the reasons why we do this.
(Damn; video camera was in the airplane).
Later I climbed in the right seat for a flight to focus on engine
parameters. I did that through most of the climb-out, and for awhile as we
cruised at 3500 agl. But then I started to enjoy the view, and the
sensation of speed - even at that altitude, as we banked over the hills and
valleys. I took the stick to get a feel for the control response. Felt
great. Smooth and responsive. I was flying my plane; with the very kool
EFIS displays, cruising at 200 mph, and enjoying the beautiful view.
Definitely high; a natural high.
For those not yet flying keep at it; and that moment will come. Ok, there
are still some problems to solve and things to adjust, but thats for later.
Now a little data (from my memory). Density altitude about 7500. Engine
rpm 5200, 21-22 MAP, 175 KIAS, 197 KTAS. [226 MPH] OAT 78F, coolant temp
175F, oil
temp 205F. Still some work to do on air flow to oil cooler.
Thanks for help getting it there.
Al (looking forward to getting out of insurance restriction prison so I can
take left seat)
Al Gietzen
Al: Congratulations! Your description really catches the spirit of first
flights. It only gets better.
I finally put a copilot in the right seat to record engine and performance
parameters. As far as I was concerned, he was an essential crew member for
a test flight.
Tom Parkes
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