Ep 0 Introduction - Task Based Flight Test Series

The newly approved Task-Based Flight Test program outlined in Advisory Circular 90-89C opens up a much more effective and efficient way to your newly built experimental aircraft. This series builds on previous flight test experience (albeit in fighter jets), EAA Test Cards, and some big names in the industry to pass along information on how best to gather the data needed to write your Aircraft Operating Handbook (AOH) / Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). I'll strive to keep to a fighter pilot format--brief, execution, and debrief and similar to a fighter mission, we'll spend quite a bit of time in the debrief going through the telemetry pulled from the Garmin G3X panel in order to parse it and derive numbers for the POH. Welcome aboard, happy to have ya.
I forgot to finish my thought about build time. I estimate my build having taken 1,500 hours. Totally a rough estimate but that includes the many hours spent learning, designing, and building my avionics harness from scratch. Huge thanks to Jessica Voruda for her mentorship with that.
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[@klw141]

Really excited for this new series, i just received my kit about three weeks ago (#370) and am preparing to dig in. One question about your avionics build, did you create your own schematics? what software CAD tool did you use?

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Great question. I should probably address the avionics more thoroughly at some point. Man it was fun to crest the learning curve and put it together. I used Adobe Illustrator to draw my interconnect diagrams. Congrats on the new project! Good luck with things 🤙

[@treetopflight7624]

Fantastic (and logical) transition. Your editing is first class. You are clearly one of the leaders in GA and helping shape the future of the industry. Looking forward to your series.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Thank you for the kind words! It's gratifying to know that the hard work is paying off and hopefully benefitting others in GA. Your hard work building your great airplane is coming along nicely! Keep it up 🤙

[@brianberezowski5352]

A big HELLO from CYQT Beautiful Thunder Bay Ontario Canada. 🇨🇦 LOVE your videos, they Inspire, motivate, educate and entertain. THANK YOU. I'm 63 and learning to fly .. a life long "bucket list" dream. I own an Avid Magnum, basically a Kitfox, just a little bigger. Doing all my formal training in GA aircraft (C172) before I get transition training into the Magnum. It is currently rigged in a tricycle config, maybe one day in the future as my experience and proficiency improves maybe I'll convert to tail wheel, and even try floats. For now, one methodical step at a time. Also really ENJOY videos from Josh (Aviation 101). Love how you both PROMOTE SAFETY FIRST, pre and post flight brief and debrief, etc ... As I go through my flight training I'm doing my best to make those tasks routine with every flight. I'm not interested in being a "cool pilot" I just want to be a "SAFE pilot". Steve, again THANK YOU for these videos and your contribution to SAFE General Aviation flying. 🙏👍🇨🇦👍

[@Joe_Not_A_Fed]

It finally dawned on me why CD (which is all you, baby) is so damned much fun. You love this stuff, and it shows. You're positively giddy about discovering what's around that next aeronautical corner, and it gets us wound up too. You get especially giddy when you really get to geek out...and I reckon this will be your geekiest chapter yet. As a community, we are lucky to have so many awesome aviation ambassadors, such as yourself. This hobby/sport/industry/lifestyle, can use all the cheerleading it can get. Thanks for sharing this journey, Steve. If you don't mind, I will offer you a small suggestion: You have great instincts...run with them. Sure, advice is great but it's your story...or rather, that wacky, little, kid Steve's story. Cut him loose and let him tell it.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Thanks, Joe, as always. I’m working on cutting him loose. After years and years of squeezing myself into the fighter pilot mold (and never quite fitting) has me a little…untrusting of my instincts. I’m far too critical and analytical of that which should be free of all that. You’re very astute. Thanks for the nudge. I’m getting there. Slowly.

[@Joe_Not_A_Fed]

@@CLEAREDDIRECT You're well on your way there, my friend.

[@johnwilcox2239]

As I begin to see the finish line of my RV8 build, looking forward to this. Just wondering, a lot of market testing on that creative series name :)

[@klo846]

You are doing a great job on this!! Congratulations!

[@Colin_Holloway]

Really looking forward to this series! I love how at 7:52 he turns the wrong way relative to the rudder movement. :-D

[@simdpk]

Thanks Steve. We’ll be following this closely since we’re pretty much ready to move our S-21 to hangar next week.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Can't wait to see your first flight!

[@ibgarrett]

This is super helpful as I’m days away from starting into the flight testing as well.

[@KO-md9ph]

Great job! You did a great job choosing to do the new flight testing. It was a great learning curve 👍! I got one question, have you ever though to fly it to AK it would be a epic experience?

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Thanks! Absolutely. I fly commercially to Alaska all the time and used to live in Anchorage so yeah I'm suuuuper eager to take the epic trip North. Maybe next summer?

[@cschave]

Can we address the Tom Cruise voice??

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Ha! I can't believe this is the first comment on Maverick introducing me...... :)

[@carlosedcr9351]

goodnight. I would like to know how long the flight can last?

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

The beauty is there's no time requirement. As long as you complete the required items, write an operating handbook, and sign off the logbook, you're done. I was extra thorough and it only took me 24 hours. Thanks for the question!

[@edgb]

Hi Steve, Congratulations on this amazing series, and thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience! I am almost done with my build and I have a question for you about the operation limitations for phase 1. My project is based on an airport that is surrounded by populated areas. DAR is saying FAA won't approve a first flight out of this specific airport because "26. Flight over a densely populated area or in congested airway is authorized for the purpose of takeoff or landing;" I spoke with local airport ATC (KFXE) and they said they would clear me to flight out of this airport climbing in close traffic until high enough to clear populated area with glide. But FAA/DAR, disagree. Would you be able to share some thoughts on that? maybe point out document that could support my request to execute my phase 1 out of this populated area?

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Congratulations and that sounds like a huge frustration. Plus you're only 4nm from the ocean. I would first consult your local EAA Chapter. Surely there are other folks who have flown their first flight from KFXE? Second, I would consult a different DAR. In fact, consider not using a DAR at all. You can use the FAA directly through the Certificate Management Section (formerly known as the MIDO). I've reached out to my DAR to ask for further guidance. Do me a favor and contact me at [e-mail] and I'll follow up... More to follow.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

From my DAR: “OK, there are two issues that can usually be resolved. Usually, amateur built aircraft are restricted from class B and C airspace during phase 1 flight test. However, if the builder were to coordinate with the local FADO and Airport Authority for the first flight to be for exiting the class C airspace, flying the most direct route from the airport avoiding populated areas to the ______ airport for the remainder of the phase 1 flight test explained in time and area of proposed operation (line on a sectional, etc) that should be acceptable to both. So, the area of operation wold be issued by the DAR, and the coordination to get the aircraft flown from Ft. Lauderdale to that test area, and using airports in that area as a "base" airport with the FSDO and Airport Authority should resolve the issue.”

[@edgb]

Thank you very much for the reply!