Skytrash
Active Member
On Sunday Morning, 9/18/05, around 9:00 AM, The collection of parts that were delivered by UPS, US Mail, FedEx, U-Haul and other means flew together in tight formation for the first time with myself at the controls.
The flight was truly awesome. The take off took less than 500 feet and the climb out was at least 1400 feet per minute. It was easily trimmed for hands off flight. All the engine temperatures and pressures were in the green. I circled the airport at 5,000 feet for about ten minutes and verified my airspeed indicator was close to correct by forming up with Gregg Davidson in his 170B. My airspeed was within a couple of knots so that looked good.
I slowed to 75 knots and lowered 20 degrees of flaps and all was well. Flaps up and then back down to full and slowed to 60 knots. As soon as the slow flight checks were accomplished I went back to full throttle and continued to circle the airport at 140 knots.
After about 25 minutes it was time to descent and land. I entered the pattern from above on the 45 for 19 at Westover. Things happen fast in an RV but the landing was good. I kept the speed up around 75 knots all the way to the runway so needless to say I floated down the runway but then set it down smoothly and kept the nose up as long as possible.
I know have an RV Perma-Grin!
Thanks to all at Van's for a great kit.
I would also like to thank my great wife Vicki for putting up with me and without me for the last 2-1/2+ years while this project was competed. I could not have done this without her.
Thanks also go to Gregg Davidson for his help and advice on all things aviation and for the hanger space to assemble the airplane. Thanks to Brian Dal Porto for his help as my Tech Counselor.
Blue Skies
Jim Bray
Vital Statistics:
Aero Sport O-320-D1A
Hartzell CS Prop
Slider
Super Soundproof Insulation
Classic Aero Interior
1128 LB Dry Weight
Day/Night IFR
1st Flight Cruise speed 140 knots at 5,000 MSL without wheel pants or gear leg fairings. Climb at 1400+ fpm with pilot and half fuel.
See http://websites.expercraft.com/skytrash/ for more info.
The flight was truly awesome. The take off took less than 500 feet and the climb out was at least 1400 feet per minute. It was easily trimmed for hands off flight. All the engine temperatures and pressures were in the green. I circled the airport at 5,000 feet for about ten minutes and verified my airspeed indicator was close to correct by forming up with Gregg Davidson in his 170B. My airspeed was within a couple of knots so that looked good.
I slowed to 75 knots and lowered 20 degrees of flaps and all was well. Flaps up and then back down to full and slowed to 60 knots. As soon as the slow flight checks were accomplished I went back to full throttle and continued to circle the airport at 140 knots.
After about 25 minutes it was time to descent and land. I entered the pattern from above on the 45 for 19 at Westover. Things happen fast in an RV but the landing was good. I kept the speed up around 75 knots all the way to the runway so needless to say I floated down the runway but then set it down smoothly and kept the nose up as long as possible.
I know have an RV Perma-Grin!
Thanks to all at Van's for a great kit.I would also like to thank my great wife Vicki for putting up with me and without me for the last 2-1/2+ years while this project was competed. I could not have done this without her.
Thanks also go to Gregg Davidson for his help and advice on all things aviation and for the hanger space to assemble the airplane. Thanks to Brian Dal Porto for his help as my Tech Counselor.
Blue Skies
Jim Bray
Vital Statistics:
Aero Sport O-320-D1A
Hartzell CS Prop
Slider
Super Soundproof Insulation
Classic Aero Interior
1128 LB Dry Weight
Day/Night IFR
1st Flight Cruise speed 140 knots at 5,000 MSL without wheel pants or gear leg fairings. Climb at 1400+ fpm with pilot and half fuel.
See http://websites.expercraft.com/skytrash/ for more info.
Last edited:
