Now I Know What The RV Fuss Is About!

OP Preflight selfie.

Seven years is a long time.  That's how long it took Jellystone Air Park neighbor, Rick Maury, to build his RV-7.  A little over seven years, actually---but that's not important right now.  What is important is Rick has reached a point in his flight test program where he can utilize the services of an Observer Pilot.  What's even more important is Wednesday morning the Observer Pilot was me!

Before we go any further I guess I should say a few words about the Additional Pilot Program for flight testing Amateur Built Aircraft.  The program was developed to improve safety by enhancing Builder/Owner Pilot skills and mitigate risks associated with Phase I flight testing.  (Yeah, that statement was designed by a lawyer.)  You can read the long version in Advisory Circular 90-116.  For those of us that do not have a Master's Degree in Aviation Safety Management Systems, what that means is:  Once you've mastered the basic skill sets---takeoffs and landings, stalls, that kind of stuff---test flying your newly built Experimental airplane is a lot safer if someone can fly, or monitor the autopilot, while you fiddle with all the "stuff" you need to fiddle with during the flight.  Common sense from the FAA---I guess they really are here to help.

Observer Pilot Worksheet.

   
To perform the duties of an Observer Pilot the applicant must:  1. Have at least a recreational pilot certificate with the appropriate category and class ratings, and proper endorsements (tail wheel, etc.)  2. Have a current Flight Review.  3. Be current as PIC in the same category and class as the test aircraft.  4. Have adequate vision forward and to each side of the aircraft.  5. Complete the Observer Pilot worksheet prior to the initial flight and attach it to the airframe logbook---so my name will forever be associated with Rick's RV-7.  Didn't think that one through, huh Rick?

Observer Pilot Observations:

While Rick ran through his preflight checklist, I familiarized myself with all the "stuff" that needed to be fiddled with once we were airborne.

The Dynon Avionics SkyView flight display system is certainly airline pilot friendly.  This particular setup is similar to the display used on Big D's Boeing 737s.  Flight information was easily processed.

Flying characteristics?  I'm glad you asked.  Rick's RV-7 is easily the nicest flying single engine airplane I have ever flown.  Flight control rigging is perfect.  Now I know what the RV fuss is about!  Of course all of my stick time was in cruise; Rick did the takeoff and landing.  Both seemed pretty straight forward.  (Good pilots make that kind of stuff look easy.)  The view over the nose during ground operations is similar to the Luscombe, except the RV sits much lower.  

"Vision forward and to each side of the aircraft" is way better than "adequate."  It is outstanding!  

Builder/Owner Pilot, Rick Maury.

Post Flight Takeaway:

I want one!