Flight Testing when to leave the "Cone" above the Airport

[Gripdana]

Just curious. I have flown 3 hours testing engine and airframe. All has performed as expected. I have done all the flights over the airport to n the "co e" at 5,500 MSL (3,300 AGL). What criteria will tell me I can go further away to test (out of glide distance from the airport)? It is all desert and straight country roads in my test area. I can't find any information on this anywhere.

[nwawingman]

I stayed in the "cone" 10 hr before leaving the leaving the security of knowing the airport was within gliding distance if needed. It seems like I read or someone told me to stay in the cone for at least 10 hrs.

[fastj22]

I'd say you can leave it once you are confident in the engine, have zero safety squawks and lots of emergency landing spots enroute.

[SonexN76ET]

Dana, 10 hours, squak free, and your own confidence level is satisfied. 10 hours is per my EAA Flight Advisor. Also, do a mini annual before venturing out away from airport. Take off all inspection covers, check linkages, bell cranks, rod ends, etc. Change oil on engine, give it a once over, check security of engine controls, mounts, wiring, and fuel lines. Number one, be safe! Jake

[skyflyer69]

I am helping friend building sonex with jab3300 taildragger. Can anyone please advise on how they found learning to deal with ground handling

[Gripdana]

I'm not sure which part of ground handling you are asking about. I have just started test flying and I have found taxiing to be very responsive in turning I did a u turn between hangers. It was the size of a 4 way stop type to ntersection. It does not turn on a dime and that is ok with me. As far as on the landing roll out it is just like the Citabria I did tail wheel training in. Hope this helps.

[Sonex 772]

I am helping friend building sonex with jab3300 taildragger. Can anyone please advise on how they found learning to deal with ground handling

I didn't have any tailwheel training when I finished my Sonex, so I took it out and just taxied it around to get use to how it steered. I just kept picking up the speed until I got comfortable at that speed. Then I started doing runs up and down the runway up to 40 mph, which is landing speed in my Sonex. It was real tricky at first but got easier the more I did it, although they say not to do high speed taxi testing.

I did my tailwheel endorsement in a Kitfox which was harder to takeoff and land then my Sonex.

Mike

[skyflyer69]

Hi. I havent flown tailwheel in about 10yrs and will be getting checked out hopefully not long now. Appreciate feedback

[andrewp]

I left the cone of the airport after the 15 hours on my insurance kicked in and not before ;-)

I agree with all the posters before and add the following:

You kind of know when it and you are ready.

AP #618

[peter anson]

I am helping friend building sonex with jab3300 taildragger. Can anyone please advise on how they found learning to deal with ground handling

Seems like we got a bit off topic here, but i do have some advice regarding ground handling with a 3300 tail dragger: Take-offs require pretty careful throttle opening, especially with any cross wind from the left. I had about 6 years experience in a Skyfox (factory built Kitfox) with a 70 HP Aeropower engine, but it didn't prepare me for nearly twice the power in the same weight aircraft. Taxying with strong cross-winds on loose surfaces such as gravel requires care because there's not much weight on the tail. I have found that I have to hold the stick back, even with wind from the rear quarter.

Peter Anson
Sonex 894
190 hours