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.

Congratulations Jim! I know it's a lot of work getting all those
details together. I hope you have many wonderful flights in your
ship.

Matt

On Sep 6, 9:03*pm, Jim Meade wrote:
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.

On Sep 6, 9:03*pm, Jim Meade wrote:
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.

jim,

good to hear that you finally got the LP-49 in the air. fly it over to
ames sometime this fall for supper, on me!

On Sep 7, 3:21*pm, wrote:

jim,

good to hear that you finally got the LP-49 in the air. fly it over to
ames sometime this fall for supper, on me!

Tony, that's a great idea! I have to fly 10 hours off it before I can
leave 25 nm radius of Lone Tree. After that, I should drag it up to
Ames and take some lessons from you guys.

BTW, we had 5 gliders in the air here, not all at one time, but all
one day. It was a great feeling. That was mine, Don's, Mike's,
Vince's and the club glider.

I hope you've been getting up. I enjoy your messages about your
flights. Tell Matt about the LP-49 if you see him. He helped get the
deal started.

Jim