Maiden flight, N888LP LP-49 Glider
Today was the maiden flight of N888LP, the LP-49 experimental glider
built by Walt Bybee and purchased by me earlier this year.
It flew like a dream. Walt did a superb job of building it.
The first flight was a tow to 3,000 AGL on a poor lift day. It was
very well behaved on tow. After release, I did mostly slow flight,
approaches to stalls and turns of various banks. I did not raise the
gear or deploy the flaps. Althought there was no lift, I felt like it
had a low sink rate. I'll know better after I fly it a few more
times.
The aircraft is rigged very well. Stick forces are light. Everything
is what you'd expect. I feel like it likes a fair amount of rudder.
I will be busy for a few weeks, but hope to get it back up again
before the season is over in eastern Iowa.
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