First Flight - HKS700T Speedster

[ken nougaret]

that's awsome to see! can't wait to feel the joy as i'm sure you did.
ken

[HighWing]

Congratulations. It has been a project and I am sure the path has been almost as enjoyable as the flight. Regarding your landing, I have seen worse from the left seat of my Kitfox. yours reminds me of my recent first flight - 30 minutes was about all I could endure - Too much adrenaline.
Lowell

[Geowitz]

You're so right about that. I sat around the hangar for 2 or 3 hours still amped up on adrenaline.

[ackselle]

Nice job! Congrats!

[Pilot4Life]

What a pleasure! Has the adrenaline rush slowed yet? And the family there to see the first flight! Great job amigo! Looking forward to seeing more of your new toy! Let the real fun begin...after phase two, look out! Again, congrats!

[Av8r3400]

Congratulations, George.

Looking forward to your reports!

[Geowitz]

Thanks all.

Some more thoughts upon reflection...

- Idle speed set too high. On the ground it was about 1800, but in the air it was hard to get below 2100. Couple that with wanting to keep a tight pattern and it made for a quick approach. Will dial idle down to 1600 and try again.

- I did not have nearly enough up trim available. My balance as flown was in the forward half of the envelope. I had the horizontal stab incidence set in the highest (forward) bolt hole as the manual suggests for a starting point. I think with my forward center of gravity I will move the incidence down to the next hole and see how that works. This will give me more down pressure on the elevator and should trim everything up better. This issue also made it hard to control pitch during my flare as I was constantly holding significant back pressure on the stick.

- Rudder and ground control felt fine. My only other tail wheel time is in a Champ and I felt more or less comfortable in the Kitfox. I have just under 1 degree of toe out in each wheel.

- Slightest right stick pressure needed to keep wings level in cruise flight. Will adjust one of the strut attach fittings 1/2 turn and try again.

[Dutch]

Congrats. George beautiful plane. Man that must have been a RUSH!!

Dutch

[AirFox]

Great Job Geowitz! Just the motivation all of us builders need. Now back out the the garage to get to work.

Congradulations!

Scott

[Mnflyer]

Hi Geo, a big congrats, your plane looks great the HKS sounds great and your numbers are good, thanks for the videos. Like you posted just a little fine tuning here and there and you have one fine airplane. That's the first real report and video of a HKS 700T I've seen nice I like it. Keep posting as you fly.