Dan,

 

My first reply was too short, just as is your field.

 

One Lancair test pilot has about 30 dead stick landings.  How many do you have in an ES?

 

There is evidence that the builder is not the best person to make sound judgements about the first flight.  One that stands out in my mind is a IV-P taken off from a high short grass strip - it didn't make it.

 

You have invested a lot of time and money in your project.  It would be a shame to convert it all to a pile of fiberglass shards because now you want to save a little money (relative to the project) or speed up the first flight.  Look at the accident XL speadsheet (sent around recently) to see some of the other first flight failures.

 

Have you taken advantage of the EAA Tech and Flight Adviser program?

 

To put the odds in your favor:

 

1.  Use a test pilot - they are practiced and experienced in peculiar flight failures and finding overlooked final inspection items.

 

2.  Use an airport with at least one wide and long runway, long enough to lift off, set back down and brake (hopefully) to a stop.

 

3.  Make sure the surrounding terrain has some suitability for an off-airport landing - although circling above the airport is a better idea.

 

4. Make sure all nuts are secure - especially the loose one behind the yoke!

 

5. Do not test fly into a TFR, F-16s create wake turbulence. 

 

There is a reason why your Experimental Airworthiness Certificate automatically switches to Phase II (allowing passengers) only after a set number of flight hours - the aircraft is still flying.

 

Oh yeah, our close knit aviation community would still like to see you around after the first flight.