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Friday, 30 May 2008
1103 - It's getting close...
Just talked to the airplane manufacturer. It's pretty well finished. It'll go into the paint shop today; when it comes out, they'll add the vinyl graphics and interior, finish up the inevitable last-minute stuff, and then it's time for the test flight.
I got the finished layout for my panel, as well...
Lots of stuff there. There's also stuff on a console running from below the panel, down in between the seats: the engine management system, with all sorts of gauges to monitor the engine; the fuel selector valve; the parking brake handle; and the mount for my Garmin 496 portable GPS. It's very full, and very capable - more so than I am, which is just the way I want it.
current mood: ![[mood icon]](https://www.livejournal.com/img/mood/neko/kaokitty/bouncey.gif) bouncy
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Comments:
They're going to do the engine break-in?
I just thought about that, fresh engine, going cross-country?
Yup. They'll run the engine in, and they'll also fly it for several hours before I get there, both in testing (and verifying the control rigging) and also just shaking it down a bit. The sales manager/test pilot lives an hour's flight away; I expect he'll fly it home at least once.
Once I get there, I'll fly it for several hours with factory CFIs (they've got 3 on staff, including the sales manager), both to get familiar with it and checked out in it, and because AVEMCO requires 3 hours dual in the airplane before I solo it. Then I'll take it cross-country - and the first flight will be just a couple of hours from the factory, just north of Charlotte. Only then will I launch for the first long trip, Charlotte to Houston (or thereabouts). Oooh, that's really shiny. So you have a couple weeks until you get it, whole and new and entirely yours? Yup. I'm on schedule to take delivery June 10, and then it's mine, all mine. (Well, mine and the bank's, but you know how that works.) That is just way too cool. I look forward to pics. I'm planning a page devoted to the aircraft, with all of the pictures I can possibly think to take, neatly organized for your viewing pleasure. |
