Scott & Tanya Card RV9A build log (N4822C)

I spent another evening working on wheel pants. Getting close.

Today I finished up the last of phase I flight tests and hours. Very thorough inspections have been completed over the past few days. That was ultimately the final (personal) requirement for me to declare it ready. So I made THE aircraft logbook entry that basically says that I deem this aircraft safe to operate. With that, we’re free to roam.
Tanya brought lunch and later in the afternoon saddled up for her first ride. We headed out east and I basically showed her my primary flight test area where I’ve been spending all my time. We went up to 8500′ and cruised for a bit, then it was her turn at the controls once we got back below the clouds. She was a bit overwhelmed with all the electronic toys that there are to tinker with. Ultimately none of the whiz-bang stuff really matters. Looking out the window and wiggling the stick is the primary fun.
It was a great day all together. Quite an accomplishment. But it isn’t all done yet. I’m still working on wheel fairings and cooling…

 

  

  

 

Tanya and Watson decided to go with me to the hangar this evening since it was raining (nothing better to do). I sanded on the wheel pants and Tanya did some much needed organization and removed the rear empennage fairings for control hardware inspection. I checked out the elevator and horizontal stab once she got the fairing and access panels off and we put it all back together. “Team building” :).

 

  

 

I got a short flight in this evening before the tropical storm rains start rolling in. The ignitions were fine.
After the flight, I finished up the installation of the new 2.25″ TruTrak ADI. Very cool. Can’t wait to flight test it. It is supposed to rain for the next three days or so.
As I’m closing in on the end of Phase I flight testing, I’m going to do the equivalent of a full condition inspection. All access panels will come off and everything that can be touched and wiggled, will be. I might start some of that if the weather doesn’t cooperate for flying.

I got a flight in this evening. Doing some weight and performance testing. Stopped at the fuel pumps before putting the bird away. Taxiing back to the hangar after fueling, the right mag didn’t seem to be firing evenly at all. The RPMs were up and down like it was firing, then it wasn’t. Maybe I just had a fouled plug or something after the hot start. I don’t know. I pulled the top cowl back at the hangar to see if anything was obvious (not). Drug it back out and did a run-up in front of the hangar and all seemed well… Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I’m pretty well tuned in to when it isn’t smooth at this point.