First Flight - HKS700T Speedster

[Geowitz]

Had my first flight this morning. It was more or less uneventful. Slightest 90 degree crosswind, maybe 2-3 mph. Take off was relatively straight forward. Pitched prop for 5000 rpm max with IVO 2 blade medium(Max rpm for HKS 700T is 5300 rpm). Easily sustained over 1000 fpm climb at 60 - 65 mph. With same pitch and 4200 rpm she settled in at 80mph(still need to add lift strut fairings). Temperatures stayed in the green. Flew for about 30 minutes circling the field. Did some slow flight and realized my idle was set too high. Wanted to keep a tight pattern in case I had engine problems so it was hard to come over 100 foot trees and slow down. Not to mention I wasn't too smooth with the elevator . Made the landing interesting with a few bounces and riding on one wheel, but hey, it returned to earth in one piece .

I will update with solid performance figures as testing proceeds.
Videos here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl9_YlfQihw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9NvnaGMLQU

[Dorsal]

Awesome!!! congratulations

[cubtractor]

Congrats!!

[Geowitz]

Thanks! Also meant to say...

THANK YOU TEAMKITFOX!!! for your support through the project. This would have never happened without you guys!

[DesertFox4]

Congrats. to the max Geo on your first flight. Great accomplishment.
Glad it flies as good as it looks and the HKS sounds good. Here's hoping phase 2 goes by without a hitch. Once you get your throttle set the landings will improve. Those are some tall trees on your approach.
Be safe and enjoy every flight. Thanks for the videos.

[jamesmil]

way to go,

[Dave S]

Congratz on you first flight! You realize that that this is pretty special when you think about how few people in this country are pilots.....build a plane....and do the first test flight.

Savor the moment and enjoy your plane and the experience!

Fly Safe,

Dave S

[Av8r_Sed]

Nice first flight, Geo! It looks like you won't need much tweaking if you're getting those performance numbers from the start.

What prop RPM are you turning and what's the diameter of your IVO? You're putting my 582 powered bird to shame.

[kebopa3]

Outstanding, way to go!!!!

Kebo

[Geowitz]

Prop rpm is 2000 at 5300 max engine rpm. The reduction ratio is 2.62:1. It's a 2 blade 72 inch IVO medium with in flight adjust. Would have went with 3 blades, but it was too heavy for the moment of inertia limitations on the gearbox. Did not get a chance to mess with the in flight adjust.