Sonex 1534S FIRST FLIGHT!!

[Gripdana]

I got it done. First flight at 0800 today at KWJF!! I'm going home to debrief the flight. Details and video to come later today.

[MichaelFarley56]

Congrats Dana!! I'm so thrilled for you!

Can't wait to hear more about it!

[mike.smith]

Woo, hoo! Can't wait to hear about the details. Congratulations!

[Bryan Cotton]

Congrats Dana! That is awesome!

[Sonex1517]

Congratulations Dana! Great news


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

[nwawingman]

That's awesome news Dana! Scratch builders like yourself that are able to take on a project like this and complete it are truly amazing in my eyes. Congratulations!

[Rynoth]

Congrats!

[Gripdana]

Here are the details of the first flight. I stared the morning doing the final tuning on the Aeroinjector. I was able to get the two ignitions within 20 RPM and the EGT setting below 100 degrees difference from peak lean to full rich. I had the idle at 900 RPM. I was getting 3200 RPM static at WOT.
Last week I went to talk to the controllers working in the tower and the first responders that are on the field and briefed them on my first flight mission. The plan was to have no one with me from my family or friends. I did not want any distraction and I had the support of the tower and emergency personnel. There was also an instructor I know who was in the pattern and listening to help if I needed it. Also stayed in the "cone" over the airport within gliding distance if I had an engine failure.
When I was ready to go I gave the tower a call on the phone to make sure they knew that today was the day. Then taxied out to the fuel island and put 10 gallons in the tank. Did a complete pre flight (The second one) and briefed the mission for the flight. I checked the weather and called up tower and got taxi clearance. I was given runway 6. Taxied out and did the run up. Called up for take off clearance and got it. The first take off I got off up to about 30 feet then landed and taxied back. The runway is 7,251' x 150'. Taxied back and took off for the second time. I climbed to 5,500 MSL and did 360 degree clearing turns at 10 and 20 degrees in both directions. Performed slow flight at 75 mph and 60 mph. Add the first notch of flaps and continued to do slow flight and simulate the approach. Then brought the airspeed to the first sign of a stall. I did some more circles above the airport. Then it was time to call it a day. I called up the tower and let them know I was coming back down and got cleared to land runway 6. The approach to land was flown at 70 mph then the first notch of flaps were added. On Short final I slowed to 65 and got into ground effect about 5 feet above runway and slowed to 50 mph. I touched down at about 45 mph in a perfect three point landing. Taxied back to my hanger checked everything and went to breakfast. The plane performed very well. I did have a slight occupation with the flaps extension but most of it was pilot induced. There was a small amount of static on the radio to check out prior to the next flight. I am still smiling!! The bummer is that I do not have any photos since I went it alone. Here is a link to the first flight.
Here is a link to the video. It is not good quality. I forgot to bring my GoPro so I just taped my iPhone to the turtleneck former.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yfTjYg8sh0

[ScottM-Sonex1629]

Congrats on the successful first flight Dana! Thanks for including your process for first flight preparation and a write up of the event.

Just an FYI, but your video is listed as "private" on You-Tube and it will not open.

[Gripdana]

Oops. I'll fix it within the hour