Ep 2 Maiden Flight! Task-Based Flight Test Series

One of the most exhilarating things a pilot can do is take their homebuilt airplane on its FIRST FLIGHT! We'll talk about all the considerations to make it safe and rewarding in the new Task-Based Flight Test Construct laid out in Advisory Circular 90-89C.
We'll also discuss the Special Airworthiness Certificate's operating limitations for my experimental amateur built airplane, specifically what it says for phase 2.
Consider following Cleared Direct on IG at / cleared_direct_resources
0:00 Intro
1:28 Pinned Comment from Episode 1
2:26 Operating Limitations Clarification
5:17 Brief - Flight Test Card
15:33 Execution
16:03 Priorities. Declaring Emergency
16:35 First Flight Prep & Considerations
19:17 Chase Aircraft
20:39 Weather & Crosswinds
21:00 High-Speed Taxi Test & Brake Wear-In
22:05 Airport Choice
24:03 Safety Steve, Preach-on!
27:18 Unparalleled Gratification
27:41 Debrief

[@richardturner6278]

Another great episode man. My 2 cents on the chase pilot is to keep it simple and do not complicate the situation further by having another plane involved. The average first time homebuilder needs to focus solely on flying and recording data. I think the better option is cameras mounted in the cockpit as well as external cameras to capture footage for reference after the flight. The recorded audio and video is invaluable for testing purposes. Especially combined with the data on the SD card from a modern EFIS . Thx again Steve , "Back to work".

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Another great point! Thanks for the great comments.

[@joejody7814]

Very well done. I find the mix of the disciplined military pilot and the garage builder most interesting. I got my private flying 150/152's. I flew model airplanes years before that. When my instructor told me I would need to buy and read some books to fly a 150, I laughed out loud. Now with over 30 yrs past, I've read every book and still haven't found the secret to the tail wheel. Except I do know it's the single most important wheel on the airplane and the sooner you get it on the ground, the better. Stay with it and may the dynamically stable force be with you.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Thanks! I'm still so novice at tailwheel flying, but I'm sensing the "secret" is in experience. I'm eager to take the Bogey out to the playa and work on cross control like Kevin Quinn teaches to hold the plan on one wheel and fly a heading. Anyway, thanks for watching and commenting! Prepping Ep 3 now...

[@klw141]

Steve, So far, exemplary! Assuming the rest of your entries on this topic keep the same quality content, this series will be a reference for all future homebuilders. Waiting for the rest!!!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Gracias, and thanks also for your engagement! It adds a lot of value. Thank goodness I have stuff to edit while (still) not flying... Soon...

[@cubman2711]

Great content, Steve. I appreciate your caveat about having a chase plane for the first few flights-- lots of opinions about this, but as you said consider your experience level and that of the chase plane pilot. You obviously have a lot of experience with formation flying and all that that entails, so it worked for you. Keeping it simple and removing any potential distractions on the first few flights is really critical. Quick note on the brake pad break-in-- follow the manufacture's procedure. Matco brakes (which are standard with this kit) have a specific, but different procedure from other brake manufacturers. I totally agree-- don't skip this step as good brakes are REALLY important in a tailwheel aircraft. Keep up the great content! Randy

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Thanks, Randy! Are you gonna have a chase plane?

[@markguenin9114]

Awesome! Nicely done.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Thanks Mark!

[@corbinschad1]

Just some FYI for you on your brakes. You are not wearing them in. Brake pads don't exactly brake against the surface of the rotor. During the break-in period, you are transferring pad material to the rotor surface. After the break-in, you are actually braking pad material to pad material. This is why it is important to not fully stop when breaking them in. That can cause a buildup of pad material in one spot. The rotors also need to cool after being broke in to let the pad material set on the rotor surface. Just thought you might find that interesting. Thanks for the vid.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

I did find that interesting! Thanks for the background 🤙

[@murdocks8242]

Love it Steve! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing the amount of detail on your check list. I would love to build a plane one day, stuff like this really helps!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Well thanks for watching and commenting--I appreciate it! I hope you can build a plane one day... Lifelong dream come true for me!

[@Joe_Not_A_Fed]

I think the most important thing you stressed was...expect to pull the pin on the flight and don't hesitate if you even suspect that something is going sideways. Another very important point...stick to the plan and Keep It Simple. You're not only a test pilot of the Bogey, but also the Task Based Flight Test Program. Thanks for sticking your neck out.

[@brianberezowski5352]

LOVIN this new series. CYQT 👍🇨🇦👍

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Lovin my Canadian friends! Hope the fires die down ASAP... Thanks for watching and commenting! It really helps get the word out about this series.

[@ibgarrett]

Sweet! I like the frequencies these are coming out - it's just far enough ahead that I can use this as a good model. I appreciate the work you're doing on it because it's helping me look at the things I'm missing when trying to finish up the airplane before the DAR shows up.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Awesome! Whatcha building???

[@ibgarrett]

@@CLEAREDDIRECT a SlingTsi. I’m over at Firstrivet here on KZbin.

[@jerrylittle7797]

"Plan the flight- Fly the plan" In the case of test flight or Functional Check Flight (FCF), this allows you to focus on the task at hand and more importantly, remember the details of the flight and the maneuvers. I'd be concerned that introducing unplanned maneuvers, it would detract from the focus on the things that need to be done and remembering all the little things that may not seem important at the time. Yes, cameras help and any data logging, but what's the fun in that!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Sounds like you've got some good experience! Yeah, I think I'll talk about cameras and data logging a bit more in Ep 3. Prepping now. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ptyeueiiwjd]

Why is the audio for both videos playing at the same time...

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Because I thought it would be awkward not to have it playing at low dB in the background. Problem?

[@ptyeueiiwjd]

@CLEAREDDIRECT slightly, at times. Probably just my ADD tho haha. I think it might be better with just the talking head audio, as there weren't really any long pauses. Or maybe just some low music.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

@@ptyeueiiwjd copy that, thx