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Thread: First Flight

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Hopkinsville, Kentucky
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    46

    Default First Flight

    N568DP made it's first flight this afternoon. After 3.5 years of confinement, he made it to freedom.

    Made several initial taxi runs & static runup. Had to adjust the pitch on the prop to get the proper static rpm. The Whirlwind prop is rated to a maximum of 2700 rpm. Pitch is set at 18 degrees for now.

    Once the rain moved out and the sky cleared, there was nothing left to do but go fly. Tracked straight & true down the runway, broke ground and just flew great right from the start. Ground handling is similar to a Cessna 120/140 with the control in the air, crisp & precise. Love the way it flys.

    Can't give any real numbers on performance yet. Once the engine is broken in, and I have a few hours on the plane I will report back. Looks like cruise is around 105 mph with no speed fairings on the struts. Initial climb is around 700 fpm, but I'm keeping the nose down & climbing out at a leisurely pace to keep the engine temps in check while I break in the engine. Take off distance is probably in the 500 foot range. Once again, not really pushing it, just letting the plane fly when it gets ready.

    Have some minor adjustments in the engine compartment & sorting out the Grand Rapids EIS, other than that I am EXTREMELY HAPPY & PLEASED with how this airplane flies. Looking forward to exploring what this plane has to offer.
    Danny
    Super Sport
    FLYING
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Senior Member Dorsal's Avatar
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    Sep 2008
    Location
    Central, MA
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    1,511

    Default Re: First Flight

    AWESOME!! congratulations, isn't it a good feeling to change your status to FLYING
    Dorsal ~~^~~
    Series 7 - Tri-Gear
    912 ULS Warp Drive

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    TX
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    47

    Default Re: First Flight

    Danny, Congrats on the first flight. I have recently finished a major mod by replacing the engine with an O-200; plan to fly soon.
    Don
    Granbury, TX
    Kitfox Supersport

  4. #4
    Senior Member SkySteve's Avatar
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    Jun 2008
    Location
    Huntsville, UT
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    1,054

    Default Re: First Flight

    Congrats, Danny. Pretty cool.
    Steve Wilson
    Huntsville, UT
    Kitfox 85DD
    912A / 3 Blade Taper Tip Warp Drive
    Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel
    SkySteve's SPOT Page
    SkySteve's You Tube Videos

  5. #5
    Senior Member MotReklaw's Avatar
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    Oct 2009
    Location
    Anniston, AL
    Posts
    300

    Default Re: First Flight

    Danny,

    Congratulations! I know you must be feeling on top of the world today and you deserve it!

    I would appreciate any info on your prop. Haven't bought one yet but am in the market.

    Also, are there any recent photos of your engine? I am interested in looking at the baffling to get an idea of what's in store for me.


    Oops, just looked at your photo album and saw what I wanted.

    Thanks,
    Tommy
    Fly Safe!
    Last edited by MotReklaw; 06-19-2011 at 08:10 AM.
    Tommy Walker in Alabama

  6. #6
    Senior Member cap01's Avatar
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    Apr 2009
    Location
    yelm, wa
    Posts
    694

    Default Re: First Flight

    outstanding looking airplane , i really like the paint job . now the fun begins . something to be really proud of .
    chuck
    kitfox IV 1050
    912ul warpdrive
    flying B , yelm, wa

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Hopkinsville, Kentucky
    Posts
    46

    Default Re: First Flight

    Thanks guys for the kind words.

    I know it's flying, but I have a feeling that it will never be completely finished. Just hope I get to do more flying than tinkering.
    Danny

  8. #8
    Senior Member GWright6970's Avatar
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    Jan 2011
    Location
    Vacaville, CA
    Posts
    359

    Default Re: First Flight

    Great post and photographs!! Well done!

  9. #9
    Senior Member
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    Sep 2008
    Location
    Winchester, KY
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    299

    Default Re: First Flight

    Danny, Congratulations on your first flight. You must feel a great sense of accomplishment. Keep us informed of your progress in phase one.

    Dick B

    PS - Just bit the bullit last week and ordered a Rotax 912ULS from Kitfox(SportPlane) for my SS.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Monocock's Avatar
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    Jan 2009
    Location
    UK
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    226

    Default Re: First Flight

    Nice looking Kitfox

    Congratulations !!!!

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