Hi Mike,
If you can get a ride in an RV that would
be great. However, I ran into the same problem – no Rv's available
in my area back in 1998. So my first flight in an RV was my test flight –
I don't necessarily recommend that, however, I found the Rv so easy to
fly that in my focus on my very high oil temperature and decision to abort
after one circuit of the patter (actually ½ circuit), I made a grease landing.
On reflection, I was amazed at how easy the Rv was to fly, I had not had to
give any conscious thought to flying while in the air.
In fact, I find a Cessna 150 on a hot day
much tougher to land. The only thing I would caution if attempting this –
it is better to keep the airspeed up a bit on the first couple of landings as
the short wings are not very forgiving if you get a high sink rate going. I
would recommend keeping it up to 80 MPH IAS on final – particularly if
you have a long run way. That keeps the sink rate low and manageable.
Naturally with a tail dragger – keep
those feet dancing on the peddles to keep the nose from wandering. But, if you
can land the Citabria without any problem, I would be very surprised if the RV would
give you any.
Good luck on that first flight –
although ""good preparation" would be a better saying. But,
don't let me or anyone else tempt you to do that first flight until you
are good and ready.
Ed
From: Rotary motors in aircraft
[mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On
Behalf Of Mike Wills
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008
7:35 PM
To: Rotary
motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Mike
Wills...when's your first flight?
The airplane is ready - the pilot
not so much. I was gearing up with a CFI and did about 5 hours in a Citabria
back in September. Was feeling pretty good about things and wanted to get in
just another hour or two to brush up on wheel landings. Then spent the entire
month of October and early November on the road. Also had some unexpected
expenses during this time frame.
So once the finances settle out and
I can go get a few more hours of dual. I may still make one last attempt to get
a few hours of RV dual too, but when I've looked into it in the past the guys
who do that always seem to be scheduled 6 months in advance.