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test pilot

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Darrellhaas(at)verizon.ne
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:17 am Post subject: test pilot

I have about 130 hours in various planes and will  be building a 601 xl- 3300 Jab. and wonder how many of you who have built your  own planes did your own test flights and if yes how did you prepare for  them?

 Thank you,

 Darrell Haas

 Troutdale, Oregon

  

 Do not archive.

    [quote][b]

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Tim Juhl

Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Location: "Thumb" of Michigan

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:57 am Post subject: Re: test pilot

The EAA has a lot of good info to help you prepare for your airplane's first flight and subsequent testing.  If you don't belong they are a good organization and you might do well to avail yourself of their volunteer technical and flight advisors.   Check out:   http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuilders/testing/articles/articles.html



Tim

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_________________
______________
CFII
Champ L16A flying
Zodiac XL - Jabiru 3300A
Almost done! It'll fly in spring!

p.mulwitz(at)worldnet.att
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:08 am Post subject: test pilot

Hi Darrell,



 I am also building an XL with J-3300 which I hope to complete some time this year.  I will certainly do my own flight testing.    From my biased and unjustified point of view, hiring a test pilot to make your first flight is similar to hiring a gigolo to initiate your new bride.



 There are many resources you can and should take advantage of for your flight testing.  Probably the most important one is to get into the EAA chapter (there are 3 in your area, but the largest and almost closest one is in Hillsboro) and get hooked up with a "Flight Advisor".  The flight advisor program is one of the big benefits of EAA membership.  It exists just for the purpose of helping builders perform flight testing.



 There are also a long list of documents you can read to help with this.  FAA AC 90-89a is devoted to this subject, and you can download this from the FAA web site.  It may be overkill, but reading it is a great place to start.  I have also seen a document from Chris Heintz about flight testing kit planes.  It points out that testing a plane is a different proposition when there have already been many just like it built.



 Ideally, you should try to get some transition training and stick time in the exact model plane you will test.  This is difficult at best now but will be easier as time moves on.  I will need to go to California or Arizona today to get Zodiac time and it will not be with the right engine.  By the time you are ready, my plane might be available for you to get some stick time.  After all, it will be only 20 miles or so from your home.



 Good luck,



 Paul

 XL fuselage



 

 At 10:15 AM 2/18/2007, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  I have about 130 hours in various planes and will be building a 601 xl- 3300 Jab. and wonder how many of you who have built your own planes did your own test flights and if yes how did you prepare for them?

 Thank you,

 Darrell Haas

 Troutdale, Oregon

  

 Do not archive.

 	
 

 -    [quote][b]

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larry(at)macsmachine.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:40 am Post subject: test pilot

Hi Darrell,



I flew a rented Piper PA28 for a few hours to stay current, then got an 

hour of right seat time in a 601. The piper is heavier, the reactions 

similar but it’s slower. You’ll find an 601XL elevator is lighter and 

more responsive, but the rest should seem very normal.



Draft a test program for flight evaluation progressing from taxi to 

pattern flight to the working envelope so that it guarantees all 

preflight checks are done including CG for the very first flight. Taxi 

test for one or two days to check your engine, landing gear, fuel 

systems, prop pitch setting etc. Get comfortable with progressively 

higher taxi speeds to just light on the gear. Stop when you’re fully 

satisfied that your systems are reliable and you’re comfortable with the 

way the plane handles on the ground. Wait to the next good day to fly. 

You’re first flight depends a bit more on your hours and your personal 

confidence in flying the plane. There’s nothing wrong with having 

someone fully qualified flying the XL first if you have concerns that 

you’re not ready.



If you have a tower, initially, ask for clearance for test space 

directly above the airport at 4000 feet or so rather than leaving the 

airport immediately. It would be good to keep a small voice recorder in 

a pocket that you input data to and later evaluate engine and aircraft 

performance after each flight. Before and after each flight for a month, 

with a flashlight, check everything in the extreme for fuel leaks, oil 

seepage, etc and eventually build a practical preflight check list and a 

landing checklist that covers essential items that are specific to your 

aircraft and continue to use them.



With your hours and one doing right seat in a XL, you'll do fine.

Good luck,



Larry McFarland - 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com

Darrell Haas wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   I have about 130 hours in various planes and will be building a 601 

 xl- 3300 Jab. and wonder how many of you who have built your own 

 planes did your own test flights and if yes how did you prepare for them?

 Thank you,

 Darrell Haas

 Troutdale, Oregon

 *



 *

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mbima(at)hydro.mb.ca
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:25 am Post subject: Test Pilot

A really terrific book I have is "Flight Testing Homebuilt Aircraft" by

Vaughan Askue. You should actualy buy (and I mean buy, because if you

borrow it, you will not want to give it back) it before you start

throwing the big parts together because it has quite a bit of info on

ergonomics and modifying the cabin to suit you (and your parachute). 



It is surprisingly thin for what it is, but it has all the good stuff

from the first flight to envelope expansion and developing the numbers

for your aircraft. It is also honest and covers the real dangers (and

risk-reduction) of flying a new plane.



I do not have anything to gain by plugging this book, other than - ....

I just don't want to lend mine out anymore.



I am sure that others would agree.

Martin Bima

Winnipeg CANADA

701

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Darrellhaas(at)verizon.ne
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:26 am Post subject: Test Pilot

Thank you. I'll check it out.

Darrell



Do not archive



---

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bryanmmartin

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1018

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:30 pm Post subject: Test Pilot

I'll second that. It's a very good book on test flying.

On Feb 19, 2007, at 9:23 AM, Bima, Martin wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 A really terrific book I have is "Flight Testing Homebuilt  

 Aircraft" by

 Vaughan Askue.


	


-- 

Bryan Martin

N61BM, CH 601 XL,

RAM Subaru, Stratus redrive.

do not archive.

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_________________
--
Bryan Martin
N61BM, CH 601 XL, Stratus Subaru.
do not archive.

Tim Juhl

Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Location: "Thumb" of Michigan

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:28 am Post subject: Re: test pilot

I've been giving your question some more thought.  As far as handling characteristics I suspect a Piper Cherokee or Tomahawk, Beech Skipper or Grumman TR2 (Yankee) would have similar "feel" but I'm more concerned with control placement.



Depending upon your experience, if your flying has consisted almost exclusively of flying yoke equipped aircraft and you are going with the center stick then you will be switching not only control types but hands as well.  A stick is pretty intuitive but your first test flight is a poor time to first experience it. Same with flying with your right hand. As a CFI I've been fortunate to fly a bunch of aircraft from right or left, front or back, yoke or stick, so I feel pretty confident.  If you are not sure about your own capabilities I would recommend time in a Zodiac, even if you have to buy an airline ticket to get to where one is available. Do it with an instructor so you can fly from the left seat.  Save money and combine it with your flight review.



As far as building your comfort level in an XL, I'd recommend an hour doing airwork (turns, slow-flight, stalls, ground reference maneuvers, etc.) to get a "feel" then shoot a few landings.  You'll be amazed at how much difference it makes compared to simply climbing in and trying to do pattern work.



Tim

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_________________
______________
CFII
Champ L16A flying
Zodiac XL - Jabiru 3300A
Almost done! It'll fly in spring!

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