flyrotary@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

Jeff,

I am considering doing somewhat the same thing. I think the term is “required crew member”. I just wondered if you had the DAR inspector put this in your COA, or if you just did it. I am concerned that if it goes in the COA, it will be permanent. ???

Bill B

From: Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Jeff Whaley
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 12:00 PM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Another mini-milestone

Hi Bill, on the first few flights I was actually Flight Engineer, never touched the controls but log-booked as Dual – a bit questionable but it was safer to have me there watching the engine instruments - the pilot/class1 instructor wanted me there – he had enough to deal with. As I worked away at getting the bugs out I was back and forth from right seat to left but with little continuity as it took weeks/months between modifications and next flight.

Once the bugs were finally worked out (~6 hrs of 0.1-0.5 flight days over a course of 10 months) I switched to left seat and started transition training in January.

Being there from the start, through the all trial and error modifications gave me a good perspective of what the engine and airframe were capable of.

BTW, it is perfectly legal to get dual-instruction on a homebuilt, even with a temporary COA.

Jeff

From: Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Bill Bradburry
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 11:23 AM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Another mini-milestone

Jeff,

What did you take your transition training in? Did you fly dual at the beginning? What about your first flight?

Bill B

From: Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Jeff Whaley
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 10:38 AM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Another mini-milestone

Yesterday after 3.5 hours of tail-dragger transition training, I finally soloed in my 13B-powered homebuilt; I was a bit nervous taxiing back to the threshold but as the wheels left the ground I knew it was going to be okay. My first landing was a bouncer but I kept it straight - followed up with a few greasers and a couple more bouncers; it was a great day. I was expecting a big increase in climb rate without 200 lbs in the right seat but have to say it was not significant; I guess the power loading and those big wings aren’t affected as much as an under-powered short wing Piper.

With 11 trouble-free hours and now solo, I’ll start building up more time after a 2 week hiatus in Mexico.

Jeff

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