Experimental Homebuilt Aircraft. First Flight. Avid Flyer

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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 inside the 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 first 10 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.

It was 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 & Vehicles
Uploaded: January 2, 2007 at 6:11 am
Author: tuutuutango

Length: 00:07:00
Rating: 4.46
Views: 32121

Tags: Experimental First Flight Airplane Abilene Texas

Video Comments:
resendetv (November 10, 2008 at 6:27 pm)
Aleluia!!!!!!!!!!!!!
zulonz (November 9, 2008 at 4:32 am)
I could never fly a plane even if I wanted to because im slightly near-sighted :(
tuutuutango (November 9, 2008 at 5:17 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 :)
aceofspades9963 (October 16, 2008 at 12:17 am)
wow 2400 ft where was that
tuutuutango (October 16, 2008 at 2:25 am)
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.
wyo7011 (October 12, 2008 at 7:31 am)
Kenny Loggins, I love it !! haha. Another cool video of yours, good job my friend!
ykahasyria (July 25, 2008 at 6:57 am)
well done captain ..
i have quastion if u dont mind .how did u connect the wings to the wing root
lasdhkfdslhdlshaf (August 21, 2008 at 12:02 am)
bubble gum
Helicoptersman (July 20, 2008 at 3:28 am)
check out our project Avid 4 Extended 18inchs with o-200 still in paint.
wheaty04 (June 26, 2008 at 7:12 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?