Robert, congratulations on this landmark occasion. It is wonderful to
hear about another Eupopa taking to the sky. First flight for N55XS is,
hopefully, only a few months away. I hope that it goes as well as yours
has. Again, congratulations...
Jeff
A055 Tri-Gear
Ready for paint and FWF...
Robert Marston wrote:
>
>Im delighted to announce the first flight of G-CDBX, which took place at
>14.05 today at Shenstone airfield in the very capable hands of Lyndon Thorne
>(Taff).
>
>The day started with the weather not looking good enough to fly, there was a
>crosswind and it was gusting quite badly.
>We checked the plane out this morning and Taff then decided to do some
>fast taxiing down the runway. From the moment he got in and started
>taxiing it was clear that he could make it perform like I never could, even
>though he had never been in it before. The fast taxiing consisted of 2
>runs up and down the runway, during which the airspeed indicator touched 40
>knots. It seemed to perform fine so it was back to the hangar. Next was
>a full power check for two minutes, with 2 people on each wing holding it
>back. Again, no problems.
>Then the top cowling was removed, and the engine checked for loose bits and
>leaks.
>
>The weather was still not looking good so lunch was started.
>At about 14.00 Taff said he was going to perform some more fast taxiing,
>and that she might fly. The hint as enough, I thought I knew him well
>enough to know she was going. I watched him walk to the plane, climb in,
>and close the canopy, thats when it began to dawn on me that she might just
>be going flying. I quickly spread the word to my wife, children and
>friends. By now Taff was already taxiing out to the runway.
>We watched as he went to the end of the runway, did a 180-degree turn and
>stopped. By now there was a crowd of 15 of more expectant observers. Taff
>waited at the end of the runway, we heard the engine run up, mag. checks and
>so on. Taff had waited too long, this was no fast taxi check, this was the
>real thing.
>The wiggle of the tail showed the power had come on, full power and he meant
>business as it accelerated down the runway. After 150m there was daylight
>beneath the wheels. She hugged the ground for a while gaining airspeed
>before climbing effortlessly into the air. He told me later that because of
>the gusty conditions he wanted to accelerate to about 75knts for the climb
>out. The climb looked good. At what looked like 500ft I heard the engine
>throttle back slightly as Taff told me he would. So far everything looked
>fine and I was more than relieved.
>After 5 minutes or so, Taff was on the hand held radio saying he was going
>to 'fly an approach and overshoot'. There was clearly a crosswind as he
>crabbed in, but the plane looked great. The sight of G-CDBX as Taff flew
>past at 20 ft down the runway was definitely the best. This was when I
>knew she really did fly.
>There followed another circuit, and then the landing. The approach looked
>good, even thought the wind didnt. The round out at 6 inches above the
>ground was followed by the smoothest of landings. Some people, Taff,
>amongst others seem to produce a perfect landing in less than favourable
>conditions and I struggle to produce an acceptable landing in perfect
>conditions.
>This was just another day for Taff but clearly one I will not forget.
>Im sure the next few weeks and indeed my first flight in G_CDBX will be
>equally satisfying.
>My thanks to everyone who has helped me in this project.
>
>Robert Marston
>
>
>
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