The first, second, fourth, sixth and every even number rule after
that are all;
"FLY THE AIRPLANE"
Only while you continue to fly the AC do you have any chance of
solving any problems on board.
Remember also that most accidents in homebuilt aircraft happen to
people who have bought the plane from the builder and also happen in
the first flight (or first few flights).
A good rule when you purchase any aircraft (especially homebuilt and
also
RC) is to treat it as if it had just been finished. Open the plane
up and inspect/prepare it as if the FAA is going to inspect it for
airworthiness. In fact it might be a good idea to actually have a
local FAA inspector (full size plane) look it over while you have all
the covers off.
When you have completed the inspection and fixed any problem areas
do a full test program as if it is a new plane. Do the taxi tests.
Do a conservative flight test program. Test the perfromance and limits
of the plane in a carefull, measured way. Do not assume anything just
because the plane is similar to another plane you have flown.
Example, no two Long-EZs are alike. Every builder has done something
differently. You must find out be testing how these differences change
the flight of the individual plane you are flying.
NO HOTDOGGING or HIGH PERFORMANCE FLIGHT until you have lots of hours
(50-100 hours for full size, 5-10 hours for RC) in the plane.
People who hotdog on first flights either end up dead (full size)
or buy lots of planes (RC).
If you buy a RC plane it is a good idea to check everything before
flying
and FIX anything that is not right. It is much easier to replace a hinge
or servo before (instead of) the crash.
RC planes don't require nearly the level of care of full size planes but
please use a level of care that fits the plane.
A small foamie glider can't hurt much but F3B, F3F, F3J planes can do a
lot
of damage to others as well as themselves so a much higher level of care
is
required. Try pylon racing sometime, the dangers are higher and the
level
of care required is also high, including inspection of all aircraft by
at least two officials before entering the contest.
Let's have fun but killing anyone is considered bad form.
michael N6CHV AMA 77292
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> THE VERY FIRST rule in flying is to FLY THE AIRPLANE.
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