I was out at the airport recently where my ES will have get its fit and finish and **perhaps** final re-assembly.  I'm seeking opinions on the sensibility of doing first flight of an ES out of this airport (Potomac Airfield near DC), which is a pretty small strip.  The runway is only about 2600 feet long and 40 feet wide.  However, this is an ES, which has lower wing loading than the IV and Legacy.  Further, there is good quality grass around the runway that effectively makes it much wider than 40 feet.  And one end has about 500 feet of good grass beyond the runway (then a fence and trees), while the other end has over a 1000 foot field (but a creek within a couple hundred feet of the end of the runway.)  So in one direction there is about 3100 feet before the fence, and in another there is over 3600 feet before trees but a 20 foot trench around the 2800 foot mark.

One experienced Lancair pilot has told me that, for the ES, this is sufficient.  I sense he's on the more aggressive end.  Two other experienced Lancair pilots said, "it could be done" but suggested moving to a longer strip for the first flight.  Moving, of course, is costly, but on the other hand, I don't want to take imprudent risks.  At the end of the day, the minimum runway size is one's own decision, like any other decision about personal minimums.  I'm not bashful about asking for the views of others with a lot more experience than me.  For those willing to share their views, what you think?

Thanks,
Dan