Maiden flight lessons

A maiden flight is a challenge. My heart is beating, nerves on edge. It may not be that way for you, but perhaps you haven’t had as many crashes on maiden flights as I have had! Near the beginning it was largely due to having the new plane pull hard to the left on takeoff when my previous planes went more or less straight. Then there were times that hardware or the airframe failed. Beyond that were downright mysteries.

More times than I would like to admit, the crash was because I did something dumb. I knew better. I told myself all about that afterwards – often just moments afterwards.

So, I would like to help you, as well as myself, to be thinking about what to be ready for in a maiden flight, and what to do in various potential adverse circumstances. Here’s a start on it. Feel free to add your own thoughts, as will I along the way.

What I have learned from crashing planes on maiden flights

• Check hinges to make sure they are all solidly fastened in place.
• If you have assembled plane components at the field, have screws and clips for assembly in a container just for them. When it’s assembled, check the container for anything left over!
• Double check every control surface for adequate control movement, and right direction.
• Give myself a briefing just before the flight. Include the items in this list.
• Expect the unexpected
• Don’t fool yourself in thinking it’s going to fly beautifully with minimal effort
• Very slowly increase the throttle during the take-off run
• Keep the take-off run straight.  If it’s going off line, cut the throttle.  Start over.
• Keep the plane on the ground until there is adequate airspeed.  That may require using the elevator to hold it down.
• If it’s going crazy, cut the throttle.
• If you have to fly at or near full throttle, make it a very quick flight!
• Remember to lower the nose if the motor quits. Get adequate airspeed before dodging trees, etc.
• If you notice a loss of power, make an immediate emergency landing!
• Do your best to keep from telling yourself after the crash, that the next time you will pay more attention to what you already know!

Here’s a briefing that I prepared for a re-maiden flight of my FA-18 EDF:

Is this helpful? Then, perhaps, you would like to say “thank you” by buying me a cup of coffee. Perhaps that will help calm my nerves! Distance will most likely mean you cannot do that directly, but you could give me five bucks via the following link. Thank you! It’s greatly appreciated!