You want more details here they are.
I am not qualified to test fly the airplane so I enlisted the help of another Lancair owner and pilot at my airfield. He
did a test run last week and everything looked ok so we planned to do the test flight a week later on Sunday 10/25.
Typical nice sunny sunday afternoon in Southern CA. I was finishing up some last minute checks on the airplane and about 130PM the test pilot showed up at the hangar and was ready to go. It was pretty hot (90) and the winds were starting to pick up.
Even though I wasn't flying the airplane I was very nervous. I started to question why I put myself through all this. I can say with 100% certainty that I would never do a first flight and the people who do have some serious skills and confidence!!!
I wasted no time getting the plane out of the hangar and the pilot jumped in. After a few minutes of going over some things he was started up and taxing out. I hoped in the airport ops truck and followed him out.
We had a chase plane lined up (another lancair 360) and he was getting ready to go as well. After run up and one high speed run down the runway N127EM taxied back to the hold short for take off.
This was it.......I watched thru binoculars as the power came in and the speed started to build. We followed the airplane down the runway and finally it popped into the air and the ground was falling away.
The climb was a little shallow as the pilot indicated the temps were climbing and he was trying to control them. He leveled off at 680 feet and started a turn to downwind. I heard him tell tower he was coming back for landing and my heart dropped. But then he radioed back and said he was going to stay out a bit. He climbed higher to 2000 feet. The tower said they couldn't pick up the transponder.....I watched the plane thru the binoculars as it passed overhead and all looked good. He kept the speed at 120 knots incase he need to drop the gear and head for the runway quickly. The chase plane was up but never really got a chance to get close as after about 7 minutes he radio'd in and said he was coming back in for landing.
It was pretty windy and tower was reporting low level windshear. I could see N127EM coming in on final a little high and with the gear up. He was trying to cool things off and see if the oil temp would come down. Sure looked good coming in all cleaned up. Eventually he dropped the gear and came over the fence at 95 knots. Slowed to 85 over the threshold and finally let it bleed off and settle down for a very nice gentle landing. WOW I couldn't believe my airplane FLIES!!!!!
The pressure was off and I couldn't wait to get a report. I felt much relief.
He taxied back and reported the airplane handled great but the Temps were an issue. For those wondering the oil hit 240. The CHT hit 404 but those came down as the climb was reduced.
Now I have some trouble shooting to do with the oil and cht's and soon we will give it another go. Nothing else wrong with it though, which is good!!
On the drive home I called my wife and a few close friends who I knew actually cared that my plane was flying and told them the good news. Got home got a beer and kicked back on the couch thinking about what just happened.
The coolness factor didn't actually hit me until the following day. The day of was soo nerve racking I didn't get to enjoy it.
I dont know if the Test Pilot wants to be mentioned but I think its deserving. I hope he doesn't mind. A BIG THANK YOU to Denis Conkey for bravely going where most men never want to go!!!!!
Bryan
N127EM
On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 1:20 PM, Matt Reeves
<mattreeves@yahoo.com> wrote:
Bryan,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! But you are not going to get away with THAT. As always, we need more details. Like, how was the day, what was it like to open the hangar door that day, how fast was your heart going, did you video it, what were you feeling, etc. etc. etc.
When I first flew my 320 about 1 1/2 years ago, I had done several hours of taxi tests and when I actually took off, it was so cool - and soooo fun but I remember looking down at my hangar going by in almost a blur and seeing how small it was and thinking, "cool, I'm really flying" This thing really flies!!
I remember climbing up to about 5000 feet and doing some turns and thinking this is the coolest plane on the planet. So responsive, so sexy, so worth it!!! Yes, I pre-planned everything including places to land at
different altitudes if I lost my engine. I even GPS'd possible landing spots, due to winds, etc, and had local volunteer fire people all around. And for everyone who wants to lecture me about doing my own flight testing, I did have some very valuable 320 time with a great friend from Norfolk and it worked out great!! The 320 is a great airplane and one of the best looking airplanes ever.
So, please - send more info!!
Looks like a beautiful plane to be proud of!! My 320 is down for paint for at least one more month so please, we need more info!!!
Matt
--- On Tue, 10/27/09, Bryan Wullner <vonjet@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Bryan Wullner <vonjet@gmail.com>
Subject: [LML] N127EM First Flight
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 9:16
AMN127EM took flight on 10/25/09 for the first time in its life. Very short flight due to some high oil temps and slightly high CHT but other than that all went well.
Now just have to figure out why the high temps.
Bryan
|