After a depressing two days of rain and low ceilings, we got some unexpected "Carolina Blue Skies" this morning.
Following a thorough preflight and two taxi tests, our fellow ES builder-test pilot, Ron Galbraith, lifted N58WP
off the ground at 11:00AM. The airplane performed as advertised by all of our ES flyers (read: superbly). There
were only a few minor glitches. The weather started to close in and the winds picked up so Ron decided to land at a
neighboring 7000 ft. runway (KSVH). Ron Szot and I followed in a 172. The open cowling inspection and post flight
revealed no problems except for a small seep of oil from the #1 alternator. Three of the four nuts were below
torque specs. We also re-calibrated the EFIS tachometer and fuel flow gauges.

On my first flight of 1.1 hours, the true airspeed was 180 knots (189 GS) at 4000', WOT and 2400rpm --- without
wheel pants. Thrilling stuff, and a rock solid flying machine. Ron Szot flew for 1.3 and recovered back here at Lake
Norman Air Park. His opinions of the experience were the same: awesome.

Our heartfelt thanks go to our neighbors and friends here at the Air Park who sweated out the 5-1/2 years of
building with us. A very special, loving thanks and hugs are for Libby and Sharon. They were patient beyond all
imagination. To our ES builders and flyers: we could not have done it without your support. We never lacked for a
solution to a problem or encouragement at any time from you guys. And to all of our friends who lent moral support
so freely - thank you. Finally, thanks, Ron Galbraith for your support through the years and for the safe and
perfect first flight. It made our day and years.

Cheers,

John Schroeder & Ron Szot
Lancair ES, N58WP - 100%


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