N52GG First Flight

[Gary Gustafson]

N52GG had its first test flight yesterday, Friday, October 16, 2009. I
have uploaded before and after pictures of that flight

Test pilot report was that the plane flies and handles very well. It is an
easy plane to fly (that's what I want) and appears to meet or exceed the
manufacturer's specifications, which is rare. During stalls it falls ever so
slightly to the left, which might be due to the weight of the pilot. Slow
flight at altitude with full flaps was about 40 mph and 44 mph with no
flaps. With full flaps it has a high sink rate, but I was warned about a
high sink rate from the Murphy Rebel builders site. The conclusion of the
test pilot was that he would not change a thing. However, Murphy recommends
a prop of 74" x 56" for climb and a prop of 74" x 58" for cruise. My prop is
744" x 61" a former Piper Tripacer prop and may be over pitched. The
Tripacer has the same engine, about the same speed, and is 300 pounds
heavier with same wingspan. When I told the test pilot my reasoning, he
laughed and asked "Do you know what the take-off distance of a Tripacer is?"
(Answer - 1600 feet at a yesterday's temperature) Further testing will
tell. All in all it went well for a first time flight.

Some minor adjustments were identified to be fixed before the next flight.
They are:
1. Down elevator authority - insufficient back range as stick is
limited by ones crotch and can not be pulled back to the point required for
full down elevator authority. Minor adjustment of the cables are called for.

2. Tail wheel does not break away in left hand turns. Correct so that
left and right hand can be executed easily.
3. RPM indicator reads at 2/3 of the actual RPM. I have an electronic
tachometer and I may have set it inadvertently to a 3 blade prop. Action is
to check all settings on EIS (Engine Monitoring System).

Plane topped 120 mph at about 65% power, but we are not sure due to
tachometer problem.

There is still a lot of testing and mapping out flight characteristics yet
to be done, but the first flight went very well after a loose wire attached
to the ignition switch was tightened.

Thanks to Chris Conn, Bernie Kerr, George Fritschle, Rob Kermanj, Joe Baker,
and others who have helped me through the years, both with their labor and
knowledge. This project would not have been possible without their help.
BWTW Chris Conn is now 23 and a college student who has been helping me for
the past 2 1/2 years. The test pilot is an A&E (with a bunch of other
letters for additional mechanic qualifications) has endorsed Chris for an
airplane mechanics program. Chris is extremely excited and happy to be
pursuing a career as an airplane mechanic. I was lucky to have him and I
know he will do well.




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