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Posted for "Bob Pastusek" <rpastusek@htii.com>:
Dan,
We're working on different airplanes, but Jim White and I briefly considered
flying our IV-P's out of Potomac, and actually rented a hangar there for a
year against that option. (BTW, Dick Swope has his RV-8 there in the big
"maintenance hangar" across the runway from the FBO. He's a great guy and
you should talk to him about this as well--he first flew his RV-8 from
Potomac.)
Anyway, the main detraction for Potomac as a first flight location is that
there's absolutely no place in the area to set the plane down other than the
runway. Given that an off-field landing is not the objective of any flight,
an engine failure or other problem that keeps you from getting back to the
runway is at best a write off of the airplane, and perhaps worse. Also, you
only get one shot at setting up for landing at Potomac; not much margin for
error, even with the airplane performing as expected. I'd recommend you get
Dick Swope to give you a "tour of the area" in his RV-8 to check this out.
I'm sure he'd oblige you if you tell him what you're interested in doing.
We've moved our final assembly operation to Manassas for the above reasons.
Further, the EAA has a hangar attached to their clubhouse that we're using
for final assembly of Jim's plane. (Mine's in "storage" across the field in
a large metal hangar for the time being--picture attached.)
The picture also shows the EAA Chapter 186 converted boat trailer that we've
used to haul Jim's and my airplanes to and from Brad Simmons' paint shop in
Milan, TN. I'm sure it would be available for moving your plane if
desired--I can help you arrange for it. You'll need a "wide load" permit
because of your tail (mine's 11 feet; how much bigger is yours?) but we also
know how to do this.
As Greyhawk says "opinions and results may vary," but I'd recommend you try
to fly from an area with more "open space" around it, and a runway long
enough to accelerate to TO speed and then stop on the runway if at all
possible.
Hope this helps; and come see us at Manassas--we're working most Saturdays
to get Jim's plane ready to fly before the end of the year...
Bob Pastusek
703-271-8008
Subject: [LML] Runway size for first ES flight
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... Dan
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