>A trick for a heavy wing learned by the "metal side" is to squeeze the >aileron of the heavy wing. If one would want to avoid using a fixed trim >tab on a glass airplane the cure would be to reduce the trailing edge radius >of the heavy wing aileron . >Dana Overall +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=
Thanks Dana. As I was reading e-mail I recalled that my right fuel gauge is showing more fuel then the left. I guess I need to drain the fuel, check the gauge calibration, and make my fuel load equal on both sides. The wing heavy problem is so minor that I could overlook it as easily as fix it. I feel no pressure on the stick and only noticed it when I took my hand off the stick for an extended period. As to the ball off center, I recall taking my feet off the rudder peddals and it moved back toward the center. It will take several flights to figure out what is really happening and determine if any fix is required. After doing two "first flights" in two days on two different aircraft I'll share another observation. We are not professional test pilots and I'm convinced that when you apply full power for the first takeoff your brain goes to "idle"! It must be your bottom side puckering and sucking all the blood out of your head. Whatever it is you'll be amazed how many items you didn't observe, things you didn't notice, and for the most part just thinking, "now what"? It doesn't seem to matter how prepared you think you are, it will happen. Your high speed taxi test will tell you if you have directional contol. On the first takeoff, when you get to flying speed, use only enough back stick to lift off. If you don't have to move the stick in the first two or three seconds the aircraft is probably controllabe and will fly. Try to relax and climb to altitude. When you level out check the engine gauges. If everything is in the green just fly for a few minutes and then start to get the feel of controls. At that point don't worry about anything but the engine instruments and flying the airplane. Once you're comfortable on the controls,and with plenty of altitude, start getting into some slowflight and see how the airplane handles on the low end and start thinking about landing. Don't try to test any other systems other then the controls and the throttle. If the engine is performing well and in the green don't rush back to land. Fly a wide enough approach so you can keep things steady and you aren't rushed. Try to get it back on the ground without hurting yourself or breaking anything. If you accomplish all that go put the airplane back in the hangar and savour the moment. From that point start planning your flight test program and establish some discipline for your next flights. That's what I hope to accomplish and hope to have some performance numbers for you in the near future. My wife gave me a card to open before my first flight. It had a picture of a small boy flying a model in an open field. The text on the card read " If your dream takes flight - follow it". I can only add, "keep building - it will happen"! Larry Flesner
