On Thu, 16 Sep 2004 16:48:24 GMT, "Cecil Chapman"
wrote:

A question I've always wanted to ask homebuilders is based on how I can see
one could go through the process of building through lots of hard work and
dedication - but how do you get yourself to do that first flight? I would
think a thousand questions would fill one's mind (ex: did I tighten or
overtighten that blank, are the rivets going to hold,,,, etc.).

How does one safely test an 'unknown'..... just curious.....

The answer is really quite simple, you don't.

Really, if you think you are going to be all a-quiver with emotions
and questions while attempting to pilot the airplane during the
momentous first flight, maybe you should hire someone who doesn't have
so much emotion and time invested in the airplane.

You should be aware, if you aren't already, that the first flight is
deadly, statistically speaking. It's the single most deadly flight
you'll ever take. There are many reasons for this: The pilot may not
have current skills (because he's been building and not flying), the
pilot may be low time, the pilot may not have any flight training in
type, the airplane may have a performance greater than the pilot is
used to, the engine may not have run for a long time, the engine
installation may include non aviation type fasteners and tubing, the
engine installation may be a non certified type, the engine may not
have been tested at full power for a time equal to takeoff and climb,
the airplane may not have been built to plans, the airplane may not
have an improper center of gravity. Or the situation may include ALL
of the above.

If your situation includes one or two of the above, or more, you might
ask youself what it is you are trying to prove by being the one to
take that first flight.

Corky (as you can see I've thought about this a lot) Scott