Inspection / First Flight!

[Bdflies]

Around noon, today, my DAR completed his inspection and handed the temp airworthiness certificate to me. After lunch, I installed the cowling and began one last "preflight ". My wife asked that I wait till she got home, so she could watch the first flight, so I checked it over, wiped it down and paced a LOT!
At 6:30 CDT, N479BK broke the bounds of earth. I flew around a bit, landed at a friends place, took on 18 gallons of gas and flew home.
Don't ask me how it flew. Sensory overload pretty much prevailed. I don't think I have a heavy wing, but I think it needs a touch of rudder trim.
I wish I could cite more details, but all I can say for sure is that the engine ran well. At this point, every thing else is secondary, I suppose.
More to follow!

Bill

[Flygirl1]

WOOHOO and CONGRATS. We know the feeling well. All that work has paid off!! Expect to stay "stoked" for a day or two, or longer. (I still am and can't wait to fly it again after every flight!!!) Sooooo nice of you to wait, although not sure how you did it!! D.

[Bdflies]

Yeah, I'm still wired! And yeah, I can't wait till tomorrow morning... Waiting for The Blonde wasn't too bad. I had a lot to talk about, with myself. I well know the reasons not to fly my own first flight, so we needed to have a real good briefing. You know the deal about "plan the flight and fly the plan!"? Well, I'm proud of myself. For once, I really maintained discipline and followed my program.
By the way, I COMPLETELY understand your difficulty with that last notch of flap! I gotta buy some Wheaties!

Bill

[BTAZ]

Awesome to hear!

Yeah, the first flight of my LSA was a bit of a blur for me too. It really wasn't until my third flight that I was "detached enough" to start observing behavior scientifically.

[slscott715]

Congrats Bill! Can't wait to get there myself.

[Sebastian]

So GREAT to hear Bill!! I'm also happy things went good and that there no problems with you getting to have that rush again. Can't wait till you get all the test flying out of the way and can fly over to see me. I'll get Wendy to bake cookies.

CJ

[JimParker256]

Sweet! Nice looking plane, and I bet you cannot wipe that grin off your face! A proud moment, to be sure. Can't wait until I can fly mine...

[Bcone1381]

I met Bill last year at Oshkosh. My bicycle ride to the picnic was interrupted by a festive group of hooligans. They promptly interrogated me about Bearhawks as I rode by, and offered me a beer. Almost Heaven! Their relaxed, festive, inclusive environment before the start of the Picnic was the highlight of Oshkosh 2017 and cemented my decision to pursue the kit.

They all helped build my confidence and fed me with enthusiasm. I especially probed Bill experience and knowledge base. In the course of the conversation, Bill graciously offered help and encouragement. Due to the absence of know completions, I told Bill something like. "Your Patrol will be the next completion." It was a blessing to talk to someone so far along and knew of no one else as far along as he.

Bill, I have been waiting for this day along with you. I am kind of glad I was wrong! Its great to see a flurry of completions Dennis & Donna, BTAZ and BWAY's!! My kit should arrive Saturday.

Brooks Cone
Patrol #303

[Bdflies]

Ah, you're too kind! I'm glad to hear that Brooks' kit is in-bound.
Hooligans, huh? Like I said, you're too kind...

Bill

[mpillor]

Great-looking plane. Thinking of "borrowing" elements of your paint scheme.

[Bdflies]

You're more than welcome to borrow any element of my paint scheme that pleases you! After all, I 'borrowed' the scheme from a plane I saw at New Holstein, in 2015. I had to stop and take it in, I liked it so much. Here's another view:

please note that I haven't made all the little fairings. I'll get em done. I just wanted to be sure that nothing needed adjustment and that all the joints were secure, before covering them up, for a year...

Bill

[Flygirl1]

Very nice!! Did you fly it today?? It looks like blue skies in you r area.

[Bdflies]

Thank you! And yes, but briefly. Low clouds, in the morning, gave way to clear skies, this afternoon. Much to my consternation, most of the afternoon saw winds 240 @ 12g19. My runway is 18 with a tall tree line on the west side.
I said all that to make the point that I don't want to do nothing stupid....which is counter to my inclinations...
Bill

[Flygirl1]

Yea, that kind of wind deserves respect. We did get an unexpected break today, but rather windy. Quartering south winds coming over hangers and other buildings make for a very rough ride all the way down to and on the runway. Thought it would be good practice/experience and it was. (I won't do that again anytime soon) It was also a testimony to the sturdiness of the Patrol landing gear. Truly a forgiving plane. D.

[patrickh99]

Congrats on your first flight Bill!

[Deftone]

I took a trip up to see Bill and his Patrol today. Bill did a great job on it, its a beautiful aircraft, and very inspirational to see one freshly complete when I have so far to go!

[Zzz]

That's awesome. Congrats.

Z

[Olm]

Congrats Bill! Great work is done! Please tell about what you have to do to get it fly better.