I have been flying with different weights to simulate “Bekah”. ;-)
Also to simulate luggage and different loading configurations. Things went well and while I didn't hit every
single weight I proved the plane flies well and that there is not a major
difference in control feel. With heavy
luggage you end up with a bit slower tail rise on take-off and more pitchy
movement on landing, but now that I have “felt” the characteristics I am good
to close out my phase one.
Flying down to Renton Field I hit the fabulous 40 hour
mark. I didn't get a pick in the air,
but now the plane has been test flown the appropriate number of hours, I have
signed it off and am now entering Phase 2 which means I can take passengers to
experience the airplane with me. Oh, the
reason I was heading down to Renton was to catch some aerobatic training in a
Pitts.. Not cheap, but valuable
experience for flying and for future aerobatics.
Also including what I think is just a great pic of my plane
tied down for the first time at Renton Field.
Bekah and I finally got the opportunity to let the plane
take us somewhere wonderful. Weather was
perfect, winds were perfect and we launched off to Friday Harbor on Saturday morning. Pretty much flew direct there over Whidbey
Island, grabbed some flight following and at 23 squared at 4,500 was cruising
at 200mph. Made the trip there about 25
mins from Paine field. We spent the day
walking around the island, bucket of clams for lunch, and generally taking in
the sights. Everyone who travels to
Friday Harbor is pretty excited about how they got there, people either have
their own boat, or take the ferry in from Anacortes, but as we walked around it
was fun to think that nobody there was in Seattle just 30 minutes ago like we
were. Only a few people get to fly in ! ;-)
The airport is only a 10 minute walk to town, so you just can’t beat it
for a great island get away.
