N701GV had its first flight around 5:30PM on Wednesday 7/20.

I flew my Cessna 150 up from BFI to to AWO and met Tom Staggs. He then took my C150 and flew chase.

The engine in N701GV is a 912ULS producing 100HP at 5800RPM. The prop is a three bladed Warp Drive High Power pitched to 11.5 degrees. Static run up RPM is 5500. It currently DOES NOT have strut fairings or tail VGs. Empty weight is 626lbs.

Everything went as well as could be hoped. John Adams will get his helmet and parachute back un-used. There are a few items that I will fix before the next flight.

The objectives of the test were met and all steps of the first flight's test plan were completed.

Overall N701GV behaved very well and displayed no bad in-flight control characteristics. The flight controls felt balanced and no wings felt "heavy". The rudders were stiff in flight making fine corrections hard,

The flight test was pretty simple. I slowly advance to full throttle and then let the plane jump off the run way. At about 300' above ground I offset with the runway under my left. At 1000' above ground the plane was climbing so fast there was still runway ahead.

I then started a gentle left, climbing turn to keep in a cone of safety that would allow me to glide back to the runway in case of engine failure leveling off at 3000'

With that done I then evaluated basic left and right turns up to 15 degrees of bank and a descent. The descent proceeded into a simulated approach and a go-around.

This was repeated again descending down to 1000' above ground. One more practice approach was made to only 50' above the runway climbing back to 1200'.

Finally a full landing was made. It was not my best landing. I started the flare too high and came in a little hard to the left of center and barely was able to overcome the rudder friction to stay on the runway. Control friction was probably the largest factor, but loading of the nose strut may have also played a role.

I pulled the cowling and all inspection plates\hatches. No leaks were found and all bolts remained tight with Torque-Seal markings intact.

Several issues were found that need to be resolved before the next flight.

Bug#1 - The control tension for the rudders made for a stiff control system. This made fine tuned flight corrections hard and presented a challenge after touchdown for remaining in the center of the runway.
Bug#2 - The Garmin 496 GPS draws some amount of electricity from the main battery all the time. This keeps the GPS internal backup battery charged, but also reduces the available cranking amperage for starting. I will install a disconnect switch to cut the charging mechanism to allow for long term storage.
Bug#3 - The passenger side door displayed puckering during high power settings. An additional aft locking pin slaved to the main door latch will be installed.

Tom was kind enough to grab a pic while I was flying. I also took a portrait of N701GV yesterday after the DAR visit.

The flight back to BFI was pretty boring.

Found some more nut plates and added them to the trim servo access hatch.

Made a fork and then riveted in a small bracket to help keep the fire extinguisher from coming loose.

Drilled and deburred wing root covers to final A4 size.

Neutralized and set flaperon controls. Re-set aileron bump stops. Setting the ailerons is tricky, made worse when alone. First it is hard to determine the true up-right neutral position of the stick. Then you have to verify the lower torque tube bellcrank is in alignment ( not that much could be done about it now... ).

Finally it is a long slow process of measuring reference lines from the wing for gap distance. One trick I realized was to measure the angle between the rivet line for the push rod covers against the extrusion the connects the flaperon to the pushrod.

Luckily I had left the inboard pushrods coming from the torque tube long. This gave me more choices on setting the amount of reflex or deployment for a flaps up position.

The pushrods and jam-nuts are not flight ready.

The aileron bump stops are not the best designed items. Their placement is some what arbitrary and can be hard to align properly.

Using the darkness I verified the landing lights are aimed correctly.

On Tuesday the final securing of wires will be done. The steering push-rods will also get set.

Punch List:
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
Shorten steering pushrods, install plates to lengthen rudder cable.
Fuel flow test
Final securing of wires aft of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire ( flaperon pushrods & steering pushrods )
Safety wire turnbuckles on rudder cables.

Install wing root fairings ( post inspection )

fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )
VGs on elevator ( after initial test flights )

Fabricated wire supports in access hatch. Created addition support for fire extinguisher.

Debugged transponder issue. I suspect it may have been caused by the GPS input on pin 2. Setting the Dynon to 29.92 matched the pressure altitude shown on the Garmin 327. Turning off the Dynon blanked the pressure altitude reading.

The manual indicates ( in very small print ) that NMEA inputs are not supported from the 396\496. Therefore I pulled the #2 pin to remove the input. This may have been a grounding issue caused by the GPS input or a software issue caused by the transponder attempting to decode bad input.

Found that taxing had loosened a bolt holding the passenger side nav light. Drilled out wing tip and tightened. Tips held by screws would be best, but may be impossible.

Punch List:
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Shorten steering pushrods, instal plates to lengthen rudder cable.
Final securing of wires aft of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire ( flaperon pushrods & steering pushrods )
Safety wire turnbuckles on rudder cables.

Install wing root fairings ( post inspection )

fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )
VGs on elevator ( after initial test flights )

Made a first attempt at transponder inspection. Bits were being adding on the discrete code while in the plane, but not on a bench. Not cause has been identified yet.

Added reinforcements to the radio stack. Tightened and flight readied all nut plates related to the radio stack.

Adjusted aim of landing lights.

Installed nutplates and cover for elevator trim motor.

Punch List:
Fabricate wire bundle supports for rear cargo area.
Have transponder tested by avionics shop
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Shorten steering pushrods, instal plates to lengthen rudder cable.
Final securing of wires aft of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )

Had a project visit and identified a few more minor changes.

Lost the elevator trim servo cover ( held on by clecos ) during a runup test.

Torqued more bolts to final, riveted flaperon covers into place. Touched up primer on a few steel parts.

Fixed tachometer reading on Dynon. Tied down more wire bundles.

Punch List:
Fabricate wire bundle supports for rear cargo area.
Fabricate new elevator servo cover.
Have transponder tested by avionics shop
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Shorten steering pushrods, instal plates to lengthen rudder cable.
Final securing of wires aft of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )

Tensioned elevator. Re-adjusted slack bungee, added nylon blocks where elevator cables could rub. Safety wired elevator turnbuckles. Removed elevator and adjusted bolts, installed & castelated elevator bolts.

Finalized rudder bolts.

Bolted battery into position.

Installed dataplate.

Greased all bushings, control bolts.

Aimed landing lights.

Punch List:
Tighten passenger door ( opened during run-up )
Have transponder tested by avionics shop
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Shorten steering pushrods, instal plates to lengthen rudder cable.
Final securing of wires after of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )
Correct tach reading on Dynon, reconnect hobbs meter.

Re-weighed the plane.
Nose: 162lb, arm=670mm
Left main: 232, arm= = 690mm
Right main: 232, arm = 670mm

Added RTV seal & trim around fuel neck filler & wing skin. Tightened a few more bolts & added cotter pins to all but two steering & rudder nuts. Added fuel type markings.

Tightened bolts between steering push rods and nose strut along with jam nuts.

Found fuel senders were "double grounded" and pins were crossed. Fixed fuel sender wiring. Flushed fuel system and calibrated Dynon fuel sensors.

Bled brake lines.

Charged battery.

Started engine from fuel in wing tanks.

Taxied under own power across the airport. Started break-in procedure for Matco brakes. Verified steering and brakes.

Punch List:
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
Final placement of battery
Install EAB plaque
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Final securing of wires after of seats in luggage
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )
Install steering boots
Install nylon strip in service hatch to protect against elevator cable rub
Remove elevator & grind down clearance of center hinge.
Correct tach reading on Dynon, reconnect hobbs meter.
Aim, secure landing lights

Fabricated a replacement bellcrank spacer and installed it. Fabricated replacement jury strut. Disassembled flaperons and primed them. Riveted flaperon root pins. Greased flaperon bearings and reinstalled flaperons. Cleaned up wing root skins and ready them for final trim. Installed a stiffener underneath the dashboard trim, partially pulled the panel lights and re-installed them so to not tension the dashboard again.

Punch List:

Got a ton of stuff done this weekend:

Fabricated and installed the oil door, installed a few cotter pins, removed the elevator trim and modified the hinge to accept safety wire, installed the elevator tensioning bungee, re-installed the doors, fabricated access panels into the seat pans, installed the access panels and re-installed the seat pans.

Punch List:
FINISH TRANSITION TRAINING
FINISH PROCEDURES\MANUAL
install wingroot covers.
W&B
Final placement of battery ( pending W&B )
Engrave & install EAB plaque
Fuel Filler Marking for 10G 92MoGas\100LL w/TCP
Post registration in cabin
mark "EXPERIMENTAL" on entry way
bleed brake lines
VGs on elevator
nuetralize aileron rods & control
Fuel tank calibration
Final securing of wires after of seats in luggage
install first-aid kit and fire extinguisher
Washers for aileron bellcranks
Nose gear pushrod boots
Install dorsal fin
Two additional cowl fasteners
More cotter pins & safety wire
Safety wire turnbuckles in "double wrap" style
Torque seal push rod jam nuts.
fabricate, install streamlined strut covers. ( post first-flight )
finish priming bare surfaces.

The weekend was somewhat frozen and short on time at the hangar. The aileron stops are installed. I adjusted the flaperon and aileron pushrods to what may be a nuetral position, testing will tell for sure.

I fabricated the flaperon bungee rention system, but am having problems reaching underneath the seat to install the bungee cord.

The new landing gear leaf is in. Hopefully it and the brake lines can be installed in a few weeks. Following that only the jury struts and dorsal fin will remain for installation.

Latest work:

Skylight and windshield all installed and unwrapped.
Interior painted and ready. Only a few more wires need to be secured in the cabin
Controls re-installed with continuity restored. All lingering clearence issues fixed.
Rudder pulleys and flaperon mixed riveted down
Sealant & RTV installed to prevent leaks

Punch List:
W&B
Final placement of battery ( pending W&B )
Engrave & install EAB plaque
Install new Grove gear
Brake lines
Cotter pin on bungee pin & outer sleave to tighten
Fabricate top bungee retaining pin
Drill cotter pin holes for elevator bellcrank, elevator retainer and flaperons
VGs on elevator
Adjust control tension
N-Number on rudder
N-Number on panel
Fuel tank calibration
Washers for aileron bellcranks
Tensioning bungee for elevator
Flap handle bungee
Spinner final install
Grease on bellcranks
Yellow plug succured on engine spray rail
Nose gear pushrod boots
Path door fiberglass
Install dorsal fin
Oil access door
Two additional cowl fasteners

Starting to apply finishing touches.

I uninstalled all the controls, cleaned and painted them. I cleaned out the cabin, vacuumed it and blew it out with air. Once that was done painting started.

The control stick was ground down for extra clearance .

Sound deadening material will be cut to be floor mats.

Secured the dashboard and panel. Gave the panel good labels. Sealed the weather trim to the windshield and did weather sealing for the skylight. The skylight is riveted in a final install.

Another weekend of finishing work.

Preperations are being made to button the dashboard onto the panel. I filled all the grommet holes in the firewall with high-temp RTV. I also fabricated patches to cover the holes where the Zenith style throttle linkages passed through the firewall. They also received RTV along with rivets.

A new panel light was installed to replace the one that was damaged while in storage.

Label the panel
Patch fiberglass on doors
Final windshield install + sealing
Seal sunroof
Order & install steering boots
Adjust control tensions
Check all cotter pins, saftey wire, bolts
Install elevator VGs
Install dorsal fin
Final upholstrey install
Install oil door.
Replace gear with Grove brakeline drilled gear ( ordered )
Run brake lines
Install jury struts
EAB plaque
Adjust nose strut
Final battery box secure
More transition training
Insurance
Smooth any remaining rough edges.

The engine started without problem.

New punchlist:

Patch fiberglass on doors
Final windshield install + sealing
Seal sunroof
Order & install steering boots
Adjust control tensions
Check all cotter pins, saftey wire, bolts
Install elevator VGs
Install dorsal fin
Final upholstrey install
Install oil door.
Replace gear with Grove brakeline drilled gear
Replace landing gear pads
Run brake lines
Install jury struts
EAB plaque
Adjust nose strut
Install control boots for steering rods.

The new punchlist:

Fuel lines run from wings to gascolator
Fuel filter
Run line for AOA into wing
Install ammeter shunt
move solenoid location
Install final wires to bus
Wire batter & alternator together
Install split throttle
Install choke

Patch fiberglass on doors
Order Garmin 496
Create wire access port on dashboard
Final windshield instal + sealing
Seal sunroof
Order & install steering boots
Final instal on position light wiring
Adjust control tensions
Final wire secure in hatch
Check all cotter pins, saftey wire, bolts
Install elevator VGs
Install dorsal fin
Final upholstrey install
Install oil door.
Replace gear with Grove brakeline drilled gear
Replace landing gear pads
RTV the FWF firesleeving
Run brake lines
Install jury struts
EAB plaque
Instal static port

The engine is almost ready to go. Below is the "punch list" that I could come up with. More is likely to be added

• Install battery
• RTV the FWF firesleeving
• Replace pads on main gear leaf
• Replace main gear leaf with Grove replacement
• Run brake lines
• Elevator cables
• Hang flaperons, connect to push rods
• Wire amp shunt
• CHT calibration, install
• Upholstery for interior
• Install elevator trim motor
• Replace temp tie down stations with adele clamps in aft fuselage
• Replace aileron bellcranks
• Clean off sharpie markings
• Finish re-run of strobe, nav wires & map lights
• Run fuel lines from wings to gascolator
• Install jury struts
• Prime V-Frame
• Cargo net
• EAB plaque
• Steering rod boots
• Install fuel filter
• Fix bad fiberglass trim on passenger door.
• Run AOA line
• Install static port
  
• Install Pitot/AOA tube
• Replace bad rivets