From: tel@cbnews.cb.att.com (thomas.e.lester)
Subject: FIRST FLIGHT !!!
Organization: AT&T
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 14:45:04 GMT
Summary:  first flight

	After years of building (8) and months of fiddling, tweaking 
	and fussing, I finally managed to get the Sonerai N4LX

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     First flight was an uneventful but nervous 20 minutes.

     This occurred Saturday Sept. 26 at approx. 6:30 p.m.

     The day started out with winds 10 knots at 180, a direct crosswind.
     My family (wife, son and daughter) and 4 pilot friends were on
     hand to witness (and act as emergency crew).
     I briefed everyone on how to open the canopy, what to do if I
     was upside down, and what emergency numbers to call.

     My friend offered to let me fly the cherokee 140 around the patch 
     a couple times while we were waiting for calmer winds.   This 
     helped calm me down and kept me thinking flying.  Those were
     probably some of the best landings I made in quite a while.

     I waited, hoping for  things to calm down. At about 6, it started 
     to drizzle. I had almost given up.  I told everyone I would just
     make a few taxi runs and call it a day. 

     As I reached the end of the runway, the rain quit and the winds
     were dead calm.   There was a high solid ceiling.   Everything
     was exactly what I wanted. I called over unicom and let them know
     I was going to go for it. 

     I applied full throttle.  Acceleration was brisk.   Handling was
     fairly mild under full throttle. I was a little hesitant to raise
     the tail because of tales of ground handling problems.  As I reached
     50 or 60 mph, it became obvious that it was trying to lift.
     I neutralized elevator, the tail came up on its own and soon I was
     airborn.

     there was still a slight cross wind above the ground and I drifted 
     slightly off the runway.  I was hesitant to begin any corrections
     that low, so I just let it drift.  I was above any obstacles.
     I climbed out slowly and made slow gradual turns to stay in the 
     immediate vicinity of the airport.  Luckily traffic was non-existent
     so I had no one else to worry about.  I continued climbing while 
     following the traffic pattern.   I reached about 2K ft. AGL and
     made about three circuits of the pattern.  I wanted to be within
     reach of the field (and my ground support) in case of any power 
     loss or emergency.

     I then powered back first to cool the engine as cylinder head temperature
     was near red line.  I also wanted to try slow flight.   I brought it
     back very gradually.  At about 70 it seemed to be getting a little 
     sluggish in handling.   That was as close to stall as I wanted to get.

     Handling was VERY sensitive.  Especially on the rudder. Trying to
     keep the ball centered seems almost impossible.   I felt like
     I was skidding and veering all over the sky. However, neutral stick
     did result in straight and level.  No trim adjustments seem to be
     needed.  Although I am sure once I get more time and calm down, 
     I will find adjustments to fine tune everything.

     After the slow flight I began to descend to pattern altitude, again
     staying within the pattern turns.  I was constantly on unicom
     giving readings and conditions to ground crew.  I was not even
     willing to take concentration off of flying enough to switch
     frequency.  Plus, I didn't want to miss any approaching aircraft
     announcing their arrival.  It would have been obvious to anyone
     listening what was going on, and I am sure any prudent pilot
     would have avoided the area for a while.  I don't think it was an
     issue.

     As I reached pattern altitude, I made my first approach.  I was 
     a little hesitant to slow it down and ended up high and fast
     so I went around.

     Second pattern was more on the money. Approach was at 80 mph.
     I brought it in flat. slowed to 70 over the threshold and gradually
     slowed and let it settle.   I swear I don't remember the flair.
     It felt like I was all over the sky one minute, and fighting the taxi
     the next.  It was a little squirrelly on run out.  I used most of the
     runway width.  but as near as I can remember, there was no bounce 
     or significant impact on touch down.  Again, calmer nerves
     and more times may reveal the true nature of the landing, but this 
     one seemed like a non-event. I got it stopped in less than half the 
     runway length and taxied back to the hanger. I must have been
     grinning from ear to ear! I put it away for the night and shook 
     everyones hand. I felt GREAT!!!

     So there you have it.  At long last 4LX is now an official aircraft
     and no longer a ground hog.

     See next post for not so uneventful second flight!

-- 
	-----------------------------------------------------------------
	Tom Lester				att!cblph!tel
	Sonerai IIL (under TEST)		(614) 860-3259
	N4LX 					(614) 927-8106
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