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mdkitfox(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

All,

Well, today was as near perfect as it gets.  Winds calm, temperature about 70 (sorry about that to everyone north of Daytona Beach), sky was high thin for the most part, so I decided, after 14 years and 9 months of building time, it was time to get this bird in the air.  After reading about everyone's first flight posts, I guess I was the only guy to ever be nervous flying their machine for the first time.  Like everyone here knows, the ground roll was quick and short.  The liftoff smooth and wow, this airplane flies great.  I would like to tell you how fast I was going, but my airspeed indicator never worked (along with a few other minor things).  It  made for a few interesting moments, but attitude flying worked good, until the condensation on my windscreen made everything ahead invisible.  Fortunately the side windows stayed clear.  The windscreen cleared up after about a minute.  I leveled at 1000 feet and did some turns, slow flight, and played for about 10 more minutes then headed back for a landing.  It all went smooth considering I held used half flaps (11 degrees) and extra speed, just to be on the safe side.  I would like to say it was a perfect landing, but it did a small 'skip' before rolling to turnoff speed.  That had to be the best half hour of flying fun in a long time.

Thanks to everyone on this list for all of your help over all these years.  I hope I can pay it forward some time.  There are a lot of others to thank for all their help and they know who they are.  However, I want to especially thank my former girlfriend, now wife, for all 14 years and 9 months of patience and support.  She is the greatest!!!!

[img]cid:5F958BA9-6011-4A19-8102-7BC308447CC6(at)launchmodem.com[/img][img]cid:85E14AC6-1BF4-41F5-852A-82A636970841(at)launchmodem.com[/img]

 Rick Weiss

N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS

SkyStar S/N 1

Port Orange, FL

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rjdaugh

Joined: 30 Aug 2006
Posts: 195

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

Rick,  

Congratulations and thanks for the pictures.  

   

Randy  

   

   

   

     =  [quote][b]

_________________
Randy
Kitfox 5/7 912S
Black Hills, South Dakota

Vic Baker

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 71
Location: Carson City, Nevada

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:22 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

Congratulations Rick!  A nice looking plane you've  got there.

 Vic

  

  

  

 Vic Baker

S7 912S Warp

Phase 1 flight testing

Carson City,  Nv

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_________________
Vic Baker
Series 7
Carson City, Nevada

Paul A. Franz, P.E.

Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 280
Location: Bellevue WA

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:28 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

On Sun, January 4, 2009 6:55 pm, Weiss Richard wrote:



clip clip



Exciting news, thanks for the photos too!



 	  Quote: 	
		   I would like to

 tell you how fast I was going, but my airspeed indicator never worked

 (along with a few other minor things).


	


How and why did that happen? Apparently not having an airspeed indication didn't keep

you on the ground. On a first flight especially, that would have kept me on the

ground.



Congratulations. I really enjoyed the posting of this event.



-- 

Paul A. Franz

Registration/Aircraft - N14UW/Merlin GT

Engine/Prop - Rotax 914/NSI CAP

Bellevue WA

425.241.1618 Cell

_________________
Paul A. Franz, P.E.
Registration/Aircraft - N14UW/Merlin GT
Engine/Prop - Rotax 914/NSI CAP
Bellevue WA
425.241.1618 Cell
425.440.9505 Office

gary.algate(at)sandvik.co
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

Rick 

 

Nice fotos and congratulations on your first flight. can you give us any data on your plane? 

 

Best regards 

 

Gary

 

 Gary Algate

 Classic 4 Jab 2200

 Office Phone: +61 8 8276 7655

 

 

 This e-mail is confidential and it is intended only for the addressees. Any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, kindly notify us immediately by telephone or e-mail and delete the message from your system. The sender does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message which may arise as a result of the e-mail transmission.

 “This year, instead of sending you a Christmas card in the mail, we have made a contribution to [url=Arial]UNICEF Australia[/url]. We wish you a safe and happy Christmas". [quote][b]

akflyer

Joined: 07 May 2007
Posts: 574
Location: Soldotna AK

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: First Flight - finally

 	  Paul A. Franz, P.E. wrote: 	
		  On Sun, January 4, 2009 6:55 pm, Weiss Richard wrote:



clip clip



Exciting news, thanks for the photos too!



 	  Quote: 	
		   I would like to

 tell you how fast I was going, but my airspeed indicator never worked

 (along with a few other minor things).



	


How and why did that happen? Apparently not having an airspeed indication didn't keep

you on the ground. On a first flight especially, that would have kept me on the

ground.



Congratulations. I really enjoyed the posting of this event.



-- 

Paul A. Franz

Registration/Aircraft - N14UW/Merlin GT

Engine/Prop - Rotax 914/NSI CAP

Bellevue WA

425.241.1618 Cell 	




Well my first flight in mine was without an airspeed indicator (some jack a$$ put the pito line on the static port)......  As you know the ground roll is very short, by the time you glance at the airspeed indicator you are flying...



I would like to know how all the early pioneers were able to fly without ANY instruments :dhooooo:



Not to be a hero, or a total smart a$$ but people loose instruments all the time, not a big deal unless you are IFR and you loose the panel, dang sure not a reason to stay on the ground on a blue bird day.



Rick, Nice bird and congrats on the flight, you are right, these are the most fun flying birds I have ever played with.

_________________
DO NOT ARCHIVE
Leonard Perry aka SNAKE
Soldotna AK
Avid "C" / Mk IV
582 (147 hrs and counting on the rebuild)
IVO IFA
Full Lotus 1450
#1 snake oil salesman since 1-22-2009

I would rather die trying to live, than to live trying not to die....

MDKitfox(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

On Jan 4, 2009, at 10:27 PM, Paul Franz - Merlin GT wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  How and why did that happen? Apparently not having an airspeed indication didn't keep

you on the ground. On a first flight especially, that would have kept me on the

ground. 	




Paul, Thanks.  I don't yet know why it didn't work.  I'll keep you posted on the failure analysis.  

If I had known in advance it wouldn't work, I would have stayed on the ground to.  As you know, by the time I got to looking at the airspeed, I was flying.  I decided I would just continue since everything else was nominal.  Once stabilized I used my 496 for groundspeed which I figured would be close enough to airspeed since the winds were calm.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Nice fotos and congratulations on your first flight. can you give us any data on your plane? 



Best regards 



Gary



Gary,  Thanks.  Good question about the specs.  

I can't provide too many real 'specs' yet, but here's a description of the plane.

It's certified as an LSA.  The landing gear is the 35 pound, airfoil shaped, gun drilled Grove Gear and worth every pound.  This helped drive the EW up to 853 pounds.  I don't know if that's heavy or light, but that's what it is.  I'm in the middle of the CG range and can't get out of CG under any legal loading.

I'll provide a picture of the panel later, but for now, it's loaded with standard 6 pack instruments (vacuum AI and electric DG) and a Sagem MFD that also has an engine monitoring system, moving map, terrain warning, data recording, etc.  My compass is a Brookstone (the 'toy' store) battery operated electronic compass.  It was cheap at about $50 as I recall.  I velcroed it to the top of the panel, and calibrated it per the directions (very easy to do).  The compass correction card is not needed because this sucker is on target at every compass point.  I was concerned about it after all I read on the list about compass errors and degaussing, so this was relief.  The radios are the old Terra; Comm, Nav (VOR, ILS), and transponder variety.  The Nav head accepts VOR, ILS, and GPS.  The airplane is set up to accept a mode S  transponder, ADS-B, etc. although not installed, the antennas and wiring are in place.  The audio panel is the PS Engineering 6000 with marker beacon. Whelen strobes and a home depot landing and taxi light provide plenty of recognition capability.

I also have the original Lift Reserve Indicator system with the LED/audio annunciators.  There's also a G meter, electric clock, and AM/FM/CD Player (the plane is so old I would have not had this and used my Ipod instead, but...)  All instruments are lit with the UMA white light rings and I have under glare shield emergency strip lights that use a 9V backup battery.  The panel face is a black, carbon fiber overlay from Aero Enhancements in St. LouisThere is no key for the ignition.  I use toggle/lock switches for ignition and a unique electrical signature to provide power to a start button.

The interior is standard blue fire resistant aviation carpet.  The seats are NASA foam covered in sheepskin.  I added a 5 point Hooker Harness restraint system and added heavy duty webbing under the seat pan.

I used to have electric trim, but 'upgraded' to manual trim because I didn't like the design of the actuator in the original design.

The airplane has 2 - 13 gallon, kreem coated tanks and the original small baggage sack.   I used the poly fiber system, poly-tone paint, even on the fiberglass, and it worked out fine.  With all the masking, prepping, cleaning, etc., and a very small paint booth, it took over 5 months to paint.  I made every mistake possible to, but Jim and Dondie at Poly fiber were great help.  I would always recommend them.

The engine is the 100 horse Rotax 912S, but uses the old style starter.  The ring mount interfered with the heavy duty starter.  The standard starter works fine and the engine starts easily and runs like a top.   There is no noticeable engine shaking at shut down or start up.  I didn't install carb heat.  Each cylinder has CHT and EGT.  I did use the optional oil cooler to.  For those guys with the old style 15 cent coolant overflow bottle, call John at Kitfox and replace it NOW with the current $33 Rotax part (it's worth it).  Mine blew a hole out the side during extended taxi testing.  The engine didn't overheat, but it got really warm.  Lost almost all the coolant and the smoke pouring out of the cowling was a tad scary.  The new container is much more substantial.  I use 100LL, because of availability and the ethanol issues.  Per John McBean, I use the TCP additive he sells.  The prop is a Warp Drive, 3 blade, 72 inch and is ground adjustable.  I'm only getting 5200 RPM so I'll have to re-pitch it from the 17" pitch to something else.  Anybody have a suggestion?

That's about all I can remember at my advanced age.  Let me know what else you would like to know.

Rick Weiss

N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS

SkyStar S/N 1

Port Orange, FL



=  [quote][b]

gary.algate(at)sandvik.co
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:03 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

Thanks for the info on your plane Richard. I always enjoy hearing about first flights and seeing how people set up their planes. 

 

Your plane looks and sounds great. 

 

I'm a bit disillusioned at the moment as after breaking a leaf in my tail spring I have wasted  hours trying to source a replacement in Australia or getting one manufactured. As soon as the local  spring manufacturer saw it they  recognized it as  being off a plane and refuse to make one for me! 

 

John at Kitfox LLC is going to send one to me but the freight will probably end up costing me more than the price of the spring itself and I am still going to be grounded for the next week. 

 

I found a supplier who will sell me the material (SUP 9) - 6 Mtr for $20 -  but I am at a bit of a loss as to whether it has to be heat-treated after its  bent. I have experimented before with hardening steel at home and it either comes out like putty, or glass....... 

 

The joys of experimental flying and I swear I never landed hard..................................... 

 

Gary

 

 Gary Algate

 Classic 4 Jab 2200

 Office Phone: +61 8 8276 7655

 

 

 This e-mail is confidential and it is intended only for the addressees. Any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, kindly notify us immediately by telephone or e-mail and delete the message from your system. The sender does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message which may arise as a result of the e-mail transmission.

 “This year, instead of sending you a Christmas card in the mail, we have made a contribution to [url=Arial]UNICEF Australia[/url]. We wish you a safe and happy Christmas". [quote][b]

jcrowder(at)lpbroadband.n
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:35 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

Rick,  

Congratulations on a great first flight.  That condensation on the windscreen would have given me a scare.  I’ve had that happen in cars when passengers had wet clothes and outside temps were low.  As to your weight, I piled everything not installed on board my Fox as close as possible to where it will be installed and weighed my Model 5 a couple of weeks ago, and my weight came out very close to yours.  When I read yours, I looked on my desk to check mine, but my weight and balance calculation is apparently at the hangar.  In any case my memory tells me we are probably within ten pounds.  

   

It sounds like you took everything in stride and pulled it off wonderfully.  Great going.    

   

Jim Crowder  

Model 5  

Installing 3300A Jabiru      

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Weiss Richard

 Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 7:56 PM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: First Flight - finally  

  

  

     

All,  

    

   

    

Well, today was as near perfect as it gets.  Winds calm, temperature about 70 (sorry about that to everyone north of Daytona Beach), sky was high thin for the most part, so I decided, after 14 years and 9 months of building time, it was time to get this bird in the air.  After reading about everyone's first flight posts, I guess I was the only guy to ever be nervous flying their machine for the first time.  Like everyone here knows, the ground roll was quick and short.  The liftoff smooth and wow, this airplane flies great.  I would like to tell you how fast I was going, but my airspeed indicator never worked (along with a few other minor things).  It  made for a few interesting moments, but attitude flying worked good, until the condensation on my windscreen made everything ahead invisible.  Fortunately the side windows stayed clear.  The windscreen cleared up after about a minute.  I leveled at 1000 feet and did some turns, slow flight, and played for about 10 more minutes then headed back for a landing.  It all went smooth considering I held used half flaps (11 degrees) and extra speed, just to be on the safe side.  I would like to say it was a perfect landing, but it did a small 'skip' before rolling to turnoff speed.  That had to be the best half hour of flying fun in a long time.  

    

   

    

Thanks to everyone on this list for all of your help over all these years.  I hope I can pay it forward some time.  There are a lot of others to thank for all their help and they know who they are.  However, I want to especially thank my former girlfriend, now wife, for all 14 years and 9 months of patience and support.  She is the greatest!!!!  

    

   

    

[img]cid:image001.jpg(at)01C96EC3.D2AA1610[/img][img]cid:image002.jpg(at)01C96EC3.D2AA1610[/img]  

    

   

            

Rick Weiss  

    

N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS  

    

SkyStar S/N 1  

    

Port Orange, FL  

  

  

   

  

   

  

   

  

   

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Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:03 am Post subject: First Flight - finally

Good show, Rick.....I'd have been through 3 wives/girlfriends in that  

amount of time. : )



Lynn Matteson

Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger

Jabiru 2200, #2062, 596+ hrs

Sensenich 62x46

flying again after engine rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire  

ignition system;

also building a new pair of snow skis

do not archive



On Jan 4, 2009, at 9:55 PM, Weiss Richard wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   All,



 Well, today was as near perfect as it gets.  Winds calm,  

 temperature about 70 (sorry about that to everyone north of Daytona  

 Beach), sky was high thin for the most part, so I decided, after 14  

 years and 9 months of building time, it was time to get this bird  

 in the air.  After reading about everyone's first flight posts, I  

 guess I was the only guy to ever be nervous flying their machine  

 for the first time.  Like everyone here knows, the ground roll was  

 quick and short.  The liftoff smooth and wow, this airplane flies  

 great.  I would like to tell you how fast I was going, but my  

 airspeed indicator never worked (along with a few other minor  

 things).  It  made for a few interesting moments, but attitude  

 flying worked good, until the condensation on my windscreen made  

 everything ahead invisible.  Fortunately the side windows stayed  

 clear.  The windscreen cleared up after about a minute.  I leveled  

 at 1000 feet and did some turns, slow flight, and played for about  

 10 more minutes then headed back for a landing.  It all went smooth  

 considering I held used half flaps (11 degrees) and extra speed,  

 just to be on the safe side.  I would like to say it was a perfect  

 landing, but it did a small 'skip' before rolling to turnoff  

 speed.  That had to be the best half hour of flying fun in a long  

 time.



 Thanks to everyone on this list for all of your help over all these  

 years.  I hope I can pay it forward some time.  There are a lot of  

 others to thank for all their help and they know who they are.   

 However, I want to especially thank my former girlfriend, now wife,  

 for all 14 years and 9 months of patience and support.  She is the  

 greatest!!!!



 Rick Weiss

 N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS

 SkyStar S/N 1

 Port Orange, FL





 =

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:19 am Post subject: First Flight - finally

You won't regret getting the 3-leaf spring from John, Gary.



Man, this litigious society we have "developed" really pisses me  

off!  I only tell potential suppliers of stuff for my plane that it's  

for a plane as a last resort, and then  usually when they've all but  

told me that they don't have the part, material, whatever. Sometimes  

I'm surprised when they say "Have you tried...such and such?"

When buying material for my ski bottoms, and the supplier wrings the  

information out of me, some of 'em say, "oh that doesn't bother me"  

but most will run to hide behind the skirts of their lawyers.



Lynn Matteson

Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger

Jabiru 2200, #2062, 596+ hrs

Sensenich 62x46

flying again after engine rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire  

ignition system;

also building a new pair of snow skis

do not archive



On Jan 5, 2009, at 1:02 AM, gary.algate(at)sandvik.com wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 I'm a bit disillusioned at the moment as after breaking a leaf in  

 my tail spring I have wasted  hours trying to source a replacement  

 in Australia or getting one manufactured. As soon as the local   

 spring manufacturer saw it they  recognized it as  being off a  

 plane and refuse to make one for me!



 John at Kitfox LLC is going to send one to me but the freight will  

 probably end up costing me more than the price of the spring itself  

 and I am still going to be grounded for the next week.



 Gary



 Gary Algate

 Classic 4 Jab 2200

 Office Phone: +61 8 8276 7655

 This e-mail is confidential and it is intended only for the  

 addressees. Any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of  

 this message by persons or entities other than the intended  

 recipient is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error,  

 kindly notify us immediately by telephone or e-mail and delete the  

 message from your system. The sender does not accept liability for  

 any errors or omissions in the contents of this message which may  

 arise as a result of the e-mail transmission.

 “This year, instead of sending you a Christmas card in the mail, we  

 have made a contribution to UNICEF Australia. We wish you a safe  

 and happy Christmas". _- 

 www.matronics.com/contribution _- 

 ============================================================

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:02 am Post subject: First Flight - finally

Rick,



Thanks for the update and congratulations. The airplane looks nice.  Hope to 

be joining you soon.



Lowell Fitt

Cameron Park, CA

Model IV-1200 R-912 UL

Currently focusing on the Left Wing cover soon.



---

Michael Logan

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 82

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

It is about time Rick, especially since you have serial  number one.  I could have sworn you had a nose dragger, did you change  it?

  

 Congratulations on the nice flight and hope you have many  more to come.

  

 Why don't you fly back north to Dogwood Airpark and  convince my wife of how nice it is at your airpark in the land of warmth in the  winter.  I had to insulate the hangar just to make it tolerable in the  winter time.  Growing up in Georgia, I like the heat a lot better than the  cold.

  

 Mike Logan

 Series 5



   From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com  [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Weiss  Richard

Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 9:56 PM

To:  kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: First Flight -  finally

 

 All,

 



 Well, today was as near perfect as it gets.  Winds calm, temperature  about 70 (sorry about that to everyone north of Daytona Beach), sky was high  thin for the most part, so I decided, after 14 years and 9 months of building  time, it was time to get this bird in the air.  After reading about  everyone's first flight posts, I guess I was the only guy to ever be nervous  flying their machine for the first time.  Like everyone here knows, the  ground roll was quick and short.  The liftoff smooth and wow, this airplane flies  great.  I would like to tell you how fast I was going, but my airspeed  indicator never worked (along with a few other minor things).  It   made for a few interesting moments, but attitude flying worked good, until  the condensation on my windscreen made everything ahead invisible.   Fortunately the side windows stayed clear.  The windscreen cleared up  after about a minute.  I leveled at 1000 feet and did some turns, slow  flight, and played for about 10 more minutes then headed back for a landing.   It all went smooth considering I held used half flaps (11 degrees) and  extra speed, just to be on the safe side.  I would like to say it was a  perfect landing, but it did a small 'skip' before rolling to turnoff speed.   That had to be the best half hour of flying fun in a long time.

 



 Thanks to everyone on this list for all of your help over all these years.   I hope I can pay it forward some time.  There are a lot of others to  thank for all their help and they know who they are.  However, I want to  especially thank my former girlfriend, now wife, for all 14 years and 9 months  of patience and support.  She is the greatest!!!!

 



 [img]cid:015304200(at)06012009-0AC4[/img][img]cid:015304200(at)06012009-0ACB[/img]

 



     Rick Weiss

 N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS

 SkyStar S/N 1

 Port Orange, FL



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_________________
Mike Logan
Fredericksburg, VA

MDKitfox(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

Lowell,

LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

 Rick Weiss

N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS

SkyStar S/N 1

Port Orange, FL

Do Not Archive

 



On Jan 5, 2009, at 10:57 AM, Lowell Fitt wrote:

[quote]--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Lowell Fitt" <lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net (lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net)>



Rick,



Thanks for the update and congratulations. The airplane looks nice.  Hope to be joining you soon.



Lowell Fitt

Cameron Park, CA

Model IV-1200 R-912 UL

Currently focusing on the Left Wing cover soon.



---

MDKitfox(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

Mike,



Thanks for the congrats.  It is serial number 1 and it's always been a taildragger.  I did want a nose dragger so I started my next project, an RV-7A.  It's lots of fun so far.

Come on down to Spruce Creek while ya'll are having a 'wintery mix'.  Today was 80, but it's not always that warm.  But no matter how bad it gets here, it's always better than up there.

Show your wife our Fly-in.  For the best look, Google us at Spruce Creek Fly In or come down and visit.



 Rick Weiss

N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS

SkyStar S/N 1

Port Orange, FL



 



On Jan 5, 2009, at 7:46 PM, Michael Logan wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

Congratulations on the nice flight and hope you have many more to come.

 

Why don't you fly back north to Dogwood Airpark and convince my wife of how nice it is at your airpark in the land of warmth in the winter.  I had to insulate the hangar just to make it tolerable in the winter time.  Growing up in Georgia, I like the heat a lot better than the cold.

 

Mike Logan

Series 5

	


=  [quote][b]

7suds(at)Chartermi.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

Rick,  

Congratulations on a safe and successful first flight!  

   

Lloyd C  

Mod 5 912ul IVO IFA  

Shooting for a Spring 1st Flight  

       

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Weiss Richard

 Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 8:56 PM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: First Flight - finally  

  

  

     

All,  

    

   

    

Well, today was as near perfect as it gets.  Winds calm, temperature about 70 (sorry about that to everyone north of Daytona Beach), sky was high thin for the most part, so I decided, after 14 years and 9 months of building time, it was time to get this bird in the air.  After reading about everyone's first flight posts, I guess I was the only guy to ever be nervous flying their machine for the first time.  Like everyone here knows, the ground roll was quick and short.  The liftoff smooth and wow, this airplane flies great.  I would like to tell you how fast I was going, but my airspeed indicator never worked (along with a few other minor things).  It  made for a few interesting moments, but attitude flying worked good, until the condensation on my windscreen made everything ahead invisible.  Fortunately the side windows stayed clear.  The windscreen cleared up after about a minute.  I leveled at 1000 feet and did some turns, slow flight, and played for about 10 more minutes then headed back for a landing.  It all went smooth considering I held used half flaps (11 degrees) and extra speed, just to be on the safe side.  I would like to say it was a perfect landing, but it did a small 'skip' before rolling to turnoff speed.  That had to be the best half hour of flying fun in a long time.  

    

   

    

Thanks to everyone on this list for all of your help over all these years.  I hope I can pay it forward some time.  There are a lot of others to thank for all their help and they know who they are.  However, I want to especially thank my former girlfriend, now wife, for all 14 years and 9 months of patience and support.  She is the greatest!!!!  

    

   

    

[img]cid:image001.jpg(at)01C96F7B.DE50AF20[/img][img]cid:image002.jpg(at)01C96F7B.DE50AF20[/img]  

    

   

            

Rick Weiss  

    

N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS  

    

SkyStar S/N 1  

    

Port Orange, FL  

  

  

   

  

   

  

   

  

   

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Patrick.Best(at)telus.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:11 am Post subject: First Flight - finally

So you continued to fly test manoeuvres despite a lack  of airspeed indication? 

  

  

  



   From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com  [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Michael  Logan

Sent: January 5, 2009 7:46 PM

To:  kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: First Flight -  finally

 

 It is about time Rick, especially since you have serial  number one.  I could have sworn you had a nose dragger, did you change  it?

  

 Congratulations on the nice flight and hope you have many  more to come.

  

 Why don't you fly back north to Dogwood Airpark and  convince my wife of how nice it is at your airpark in the land of warmth in the  winter.  I had to insulate the hangar just to make it tolerable in the  winter time.  Growing up in Georgia, I like the heat a lot better than the  cold.

  

 Mike Logan

 Series 5



   From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com  [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Weiss  Richard

Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 9:56 PM

To:  kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: First Flight -  finally

 

 All,

 



 Well, today was as near perfect as it gets.  Winds calm, temperature  about 70 (sorry about that to everyone north of Daytona Beach), sky was high  thin for the most part, so I decided, after 14 years and 9 months of building  time, it was time to get this bird in the air.  After reading about  everyone's first flight posts, I guess I was the only guy to ever be nervous  flying their machine for the first time.  Like everyone here knows, the  ground roll was quick and short.  The liftoff smooth and wow, this airplane flies  great.  I would like to tell you how fast I was going, but my airspeed  indicator never worked (along with a few other minor things).  It   made for a few interesting moments, but attitude flying worked good, until  the condensation on my windscreen made everything ahead invisible.   Fortunately the side windows stayed clear.  The windscreen cleared up  after about a minute.  I leveled at 1000 feet and did some turns, slow  flight, and played for about 10 more minutes then headed back for a landing.   It all went smooth considering I held used half flaps (11 degrees) and  extra speed, just to be on the safe side.  I would like to say it was a  perfect landing, but it did a small 'skip' before rolling to turnoff speed.   That had to be the best half hour of flying fun in a long time.

 



 Thanks to everyone on this list for all of your help over all these years.   I hope I can pay it forward some time.  There are a lot of others to  thank for all their help and they know who they are.  However, I want to  especially thank my former girlfriend, now wife, for all 14 years and 9 months  of patience and support.  She is the greatest!!!!

 



 [img]cid:742250715(at)06012009-1077[/img][img]cid:742250715(at)06012009-107E[/img]

 



     Rick Weiss

 N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS

 SkyStar S/N 1

 Port Orange, FL



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skyring

Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Posts: 32

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:43 am Post subject: Re: First Flight - finally

Congratulations Rick. My first flight in our S5 is still fresh enough for me to know how you felt. What a plane! I'm currently flying the 50 hour test period and will post performance details as they are established. Have about 10 hours now. We've also got the 912 ULS. Will be interested to read your results. Due to work and weather and the flying of other planes the testing is going slowly but will pick up as the spring arrives.

Kerry.

Vienna Austria - Kitfox builders helper and pilot. 

S5 912 ULS

Michael Logan

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 82

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:03 pm Post subject: First Flight - finally

Rick,

  

 When she made me move from Chesapeake Ranch in Maryland, I  told her I would not move except to another airpark so we ended up at  Dogwood.  I think I have her convinced to stay in airparks but I don't  think I will ever convince her to move to Florida, too many bugs for her and she  hates the heat.  She wants to move to Texas or New Mexico.  Talk  about heat!!  Next time we are visiting in Florida, I will try to get her  to stop in.

  

 Mike



   From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com  [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Weiss  Richard

Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 10:05 PM

To:  kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: First Flight -  finally

 

Mike, 



 Thanks for the congrats.  It is serial number 1 and it's always been a  taildragger.  I did want a nose dragger so I started my next project, an  RV-7A.  It's lots of fun so far.

 



 Come on down to Spruce Creek while ya'll are having a 'wintery mix'.   Today was 80, but it's not always that warm.  But no matter how bad  it gets here, it's always better than up there.

 



 Show your wife our Fly-in.  For the best look, Google us at Spruce  Creek Fly In or come down and visit.

 

     Rick Weiss

 N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS

 SkyStar S/N 1

 Port Orange, FL



  On Jan 5, 2009, at 7:46 PM, Michael Logan wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		      

   Congratulations on the nice flight and hope you have many    more to come.

    

   Why don't you fly back north to Dogwood Airpark and    convince my wife of how nice it is at your airpark in the land of warmth in    the winter.  I had to insulate the hangar just to make it tolerable in    the winter time.  Growing up in Georgia, I like the heat a lot better    than the cold.

    

   Mike Logan

   Series 5

	


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_________________
Mike Logan
Fredericksburg, VA

MDKitfox(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:34 am Post subject: First Flight - finally

On Jan 6, 2009, at 10:08 AM, Patrick Best wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  So you continued to fly test manoeuvres despite a lack of airspeed indication? 	


Yes.  The maneuvers were necessary to return to the airport and land anyway.  (Turns, slow flight, etc.)



Lack of an airspeed indicator is not the end of the world.  Just had to look outside at the wingtip and see the angle it made with the horizon.  Also, your senses come into play.  Air noise levels, seat of the pants, visual cues, engine sound, etc.  It really was a non issue.  

You're in the air, flying fine, and you know you have to return to earth.  What would you do differently?

 

Rick Weiss

N39RW Series V Speedster, 912ULS

SkyStar S/N 1

Port Orange, FL





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