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24February2006 - First Flight!
N59CL took to the air for the first time today. The
flight was as flawless as I could have asked for.
Takeoff weight was 1805#, balance 31%. Winds were light for the early
morning takeoff. Flight Instructor Ron Huddleston manned the radio
& camera.
A&P Mike Williams parked the safety truck midfield, also a
convenient spot to take the great in-flight photos you see below.
N59CL
climbed to 5,000 ft. in what seemed like moments.
Cylinder head temps
hit 410f briefly during the climb, but settled down to a nearly uniform
350f on level off. Exhaust gas temp spread was very tight with 1,2 & 4
all staying within a 15f degree band, but # 3 ran consistently 30f
higher than the others. Oil temp never rose above 200f with air temps in
the mid 30s.
Using an abbreviated version of the Falco first flight test card to
guide the flight, I moved to slow flight after about 20 minutes of
orbiting to help the new engine settle in. Handling was as smooth and
predictable at 100kias as at high speed. 80kias was similarly docile and
only slightly less crisp. Approaches to stall were non-events. They were
indicated gently by a light buffet and a downward mush. With long tips
and slotted flaps, stall was ~58kias at 1/2 flaps, ~55 at full flaps.
The nose never really fell through since I was pretty early on recovery,
so I suspect further testing will show lower numbers. No wing drop was
perceptible.
The landing was soft but a bit over controlled, with the
speed high from coming over the fence a bit fast and further helped
along by a 5 knot tailwind.
Overall, N59CL handles as precisely and responsively as promised. I
never had any sense of moving the stick, more just of "think left, go
left". Wonderful, solid, smooth, satisfying!
All in all a Wonderful Day.
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