In my 40+ hours since flying off Phase I, I have hauled 15 passengers. My last three have been the most interesting, and in many ways, humbling. Together they totalled over 40,000 hours PIC time. While I enjoy doing Eagle Flights, having someone whom I consider a better pilot than I in the right seat is a real treat.
The first, a few weeks ago, was until recently the chief test pilot for a major freight company (and a VAF member.) He is building a 9A, his second homebuilt. At the controls, he was feeling out the plane much like you might expect, getting an idea of what lies ahead for him and his own RV. It was easy to see that he would have no trouble. I really enjoyed watching him "work!"
The second, last Wednesday, was the Manager of Flight Ops for a major missionary organization in Africa. He has 9000 hours and directs a fleet of 206's, Caravan's and a turbine DC-3. He had never been in a homebuilt of any kind. He was most interested in the glass panel stuff. While he flew with great expertise, he was very cautious, almost overly so. Mild banks and gentle transitions in speed and pitch were the order of the day. He smiled a lot and commented on how easy and light the controls felt.
Yesterday I flew with the finest pilot I have ever known, a trainer of missionary bush pilots with an incredible resume and ratings to boot. It was an all together different experience. Flick.. flick.. push.. pull.. kick.. kick.. "Nice control separation." Next thing I know we are in an about 3 G turn left, then right. Ball always in the center and 0 ROC. Power on and power off were next. "This really flies nice." His first landing was just on the threshold with a throttle pulled only once and was smooth as glass. Then he repeated it. He said he flew a Kitfox once, his only homebuilt experience.
Perhaps I was most impressed when we got back to the house. I had set his seat as far forward as possible, but didn't have any boosters for height. He showed me a digital picture he had shot forward. He couldn't see over the instrument panel! And he flys with one eye, to boot. "There is plenty of visibility out the side." His comment to his wife said it all, "Sara, I know what I want for Christmas."
I have a lot of work to do. I have about 10% of the capability that my plane has. Just thought I'd share some of the most special RV flights to date.
Bob Kelly
The first, a few weeks ago, was until recently the chief test pilot for a major freight company (and a VAF member.) He is building a 9A, his second homebuilt. At the controls, he was feeling out the plane much like you might expect, getting an idea of what lies ahead for him and his own RV. It was easy to see that he would have no trouble. I really enjoyed watching him "work!"
The second, last Wednesday, was the Manager of Flight Ops for a major missionary organization in Africa. He has 9000 hours and directs a fleet of 206's, Caravan's and a turbine DC-3. He had never been in a homebuilt of any kind. He was most interested in the glass panel stuff. While he flew with great expertise, he was very cautious, almost overly so. Mild banks and gentle transitions in speed and pitch were the order of the day. He smiled a lot and commented on how easy and light the controls felt.
Yesterday I flew with the finest pilot I have ever known, a trainer of missionary bush pilots with an incredible resume and ratings to boot. It was an all together different experience. Flick.. flick.. push.. pull.. kick.. kick.. "Nice control separation." Next thing I know we are in an about 3 G turn left, then right. Ball always in the center and 0 ROC. Power on and power off were next. "This really flies nice." His first landing was just on the threshold with a throttle pulled only once and was smooth as glass. Then he repeated it. He said he flew a Kitfox once, his only homebuilt experience.
Perhaps I was most impressed when we got back to the house. I had set his seat as far forward as possible, but didn't have any boosters for height. He showed me a digital picture he had shot forward. He couldn't see over the instrument panel! And he flys with one eye, to boot. "There is plenty of visibility out the side." His comment to his wife said it all, "Sara, I know what I want for Christmas."
I have a lot of work to do. I have about 10% of the capability that my plane has. Just thought I'd share some of the most special RV flights to date.
Bob Kelly