Experimental Homebuilt Aircraft. First Flight. Avid Flyer
This MY FIRST FLIGHT in an airplane I built in my backyard. It took me 2 years to build the airplane and WOW, what a thrill it was to fly it the first time.Before flying, I do some taxi-testing on tarmac and grass to get the feel of the airplane and then I blast off.
As I was flying, I was too busy watching engine gauges, listening to engine noises to smile for the camera. I even forgot the two micro-cams (about the size of a spark-plug) were insidethe airplane.
Before taking this bird up, I had never flown an airplane with a stick! Earlier in the week, I had gone up with a CFI and got my tailwheel endorsement in a Maule, a much larger airplane.
The "fun stuff" starts about 80 seconds into the video, so don't "change channels" in the first10 seconds or so.
Landing this tiny tail-wheel airplane was like dropping out of the sky with a fork-lift onto a runway at 70 mph. It stalled at just below 70. Having a hybrid speedwing, I didn't have the luxury of doing a slow landing like most small airplanes having a long, high-lift wing.
Itwas a real rascal to land and steer from the rear, just like a forklift going 70 MPH.
As soon as I landed, I shouted "BOY HOWDY" as if I just finished riding a wild bull in a rodeo.
Channel: Autos
Uploaded: January 2, 2007 at 4:11 am
Author: tuutuutango
Length: 00:07:00
Rating: 4.46
Views: 32386
Tags: Experimental First Airplane Texas Flight Abilene
Video Comments:
noliberalism (November 22, 2008 at 7:48 am)
This plane kind of reminds me of the spirit of saint louis.
resendetv (November 10, 2008 at 4:27 pm)
Aleluia!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tuutuutango (November 9, 2008 at 3:17 am)
Sure you can. My dad and I both are far-sighted. My father was an Instructor Pilot during WW2 and taught guys from New York (who didn't even know how to drive cars) how to fly airplanes. I'm sure you would do just fine :)
zulonz (November 9, 2008 at 2:32 am)
I could never fly a plane even if I wanted to because im slightly near-sighted :(
tuutuutango (October 15, 2008 at 11:25 pm)
Man you have the eyes of an eagle, or a massive computer screen if you read the altimeter. In the flatlands of West Texas near Abilene.
aceofspades9963 (October 15, 2008 at 9:17 pm)
wow 2400 ft where was that
wyo7011 (October 12, 2008 at 4:31 am)
Kenny Loggins, I love it !! haha. Another cool video of yours, good job my friend!
lasdhkfdslhdlshaf (August 20, 2008 at 9:02 pm)
bubble gum
ykahasyria (July 25, 2008 at 3:57 am)
well done captain ..i have quastion if u dont mind .how did u connect the wings to the wing root
Helicoptersman (July 20, 2008 at 12:28 am)
check out our project Avid 4 Extended 18inchs with o-200 still in paint.
wheaty04 (June 26, 2008 at 4:12 am)
I'm actually 13, but I'm getting kind of skeptical about these 2 stroke engines, are they even safe? and how much damage would a lyc or cont engine do to my wallet?
tuutuutango (June 26, 2008 at 3:53 am)
A CFI friend of mine would only teach in an experimental IF it had a certified prop and a "real" airplane engine. He had no problems with an RV-4 etc, but he was concerned about liability issues with home-made props and converted car engines... Not all CFI's are this picky, but like the old saying, "no old-bold pilots..."
tuutuutango (June 26, 2008 at 3:49 am)
If you saw my bio, I started flying twins first and then little stuff late in life... I've just had better luck with conventional airplane engines than with 2 strokes and airplanes flying with converted car engines, but I know guys who have NEVER had 2 stroke problems... Go figure.
Hey, your bio says you are 68 and in Iraq. And you say "your dad" bought you an Avid? Wow, I'm impressed with your pop!
Hey, your bio says you are 68 and in Iraq. And you say "your dad" bought you an Avid? Wow, I'm impressed with your pop!
tuutuutango (June 26, 2008 at 3:45 am)
Contrary to popular believe, a 2-stroke engine can get carb ice. Also, if and when the oil pump fails (in a 2 stroke) the engine locks up muy pronto. 2 strokes need an overhaul about every 300 hours (if not sooner). On the positive side, the Rotax 582 makes an Avid fly like a bat outta %ell. I've had 2 strokes die on me in flight and it is fast. A Lyc or Continental basically give you some warning it isn't happy before totally throwing in the towel.
wheaty04 (June 26, 2008 at 2:03 am)
I actually found an instructor that teaches specifically on avid aircraft, and thanks for replying to my comment, but what do you mean by let you down in a big hurry?
tuutuutango (June 26, 2008 at 1:10 am)
I'd recommend a spam-can having a tried-and-true Lycoming or Continental engine. In fact, you might not even find a CFI who is willing to teach in anything other than Type Certificated.
The Rotax 2-stroke engine (and I've been in a bunch of airplanes powered by them) can let you down in a big hurry, unlike a Lyc or Continental. Good luck
The Rotax 2-stroke engine (and I've been in a bunch of airplanes powered by them) can let you down in a big hurry, unlike a Lyc or Continental. Good luck
michman2 (June 25, 2008 at 8:06 pm)
Sweet. Check the vids of my son. Maybe someday we'll do a kit too.
wheaty04 (June 4, 2008 at 7:51 pm)
hi, my dad just bought me an avid speedwing thinking it would be the perfect plane to learn on, do you recommend me learning on an avid? {specs:rotax 525 65hp, taildragger, 3blade prop}
tuutuutango (April 23, 2008 at 1:40 pm)
Thanks for the comment. Had a Mosler 82X (advertised HP was 82, but never got close) even had 2 different Mosler engines... Lousy engines, I should have stayed with the Rotax 60 HP.
spiavsspia (April 23, 2008 at 7:19 am)
great looking Avid. what hp and type of engine looks like a great performer. I have an FP-202 and a B1RD the forgotten ultralight ...blue skies!!
LkOutMtnMan (April 10, 2008 at 2:22 am)
Yep, CG is a real factor when you go to 4 stroke engine vs 2 stroke. We purchased a BMW bike engine with B drive but it was waay too heavy for the Nova 1 plane we were going to mount it on, settled for Kaw 340 instead. Love 4 stroke engines but the CG dictates engine weight for sure! I fly a Falcon with a 447 in place of the 277 and it wants to "squat" when I exit the plane! I may have to keep an anchor in the cockpit! ;)
LowNSlowPiet (April 5, 2008 at 5:47 pm)
Nice vid. Great job constructing this plane, you'll have no problem with a Piet. We modified the orginal plans quite a bit, including designing and adding a door for passengers. Good luck!
antogrimes85 (March 14, 2008 at 9:10 am)
Sounds good man, ah Im sure you'll be able to take on that feat!
tuutuutango (March 14, 2008 at 2:18 am)
Hey thanks. Yep, it took me 2 years. And like an idiot, I'm building another airplane, based on a 1929 design called a Pietenpol. Open cockpit... goggles... scarf and leather helmet. I just hope I don't get too arthritic before tossing in the towel... This is an incredible amount of work for one person.
antogrimes85 (March 14, 2008 at 12:36 am)
great vid man, you managed to build that Aircraft?? sweet!