Today N852AB slipped the surly bonds and made her first flight. It was exactly 3 years to the day from when I picked up the kit. To say this aircraft has performance is the understatement of the year. It's an S-6ES, empty weight 714 lbs, 116 wing, 912S driving a 3-bladed 1800mm Kiev prop. The prop is still pitched way to fine. I was indicating 80 mph and climbing over 1,200 fpm at a deck angle that was scary. When I pulled the nose up to proper climb speed I hit over 1,500 fpm and shot through pattern altitude, and all this happened before the end of the 2,200 foot runway! Yeah ... I was just a tad behind her on that first takeoff. Once I started breathing again and was convinced that nothing was burning, spilling or falling off I relaxed a bit. What a fantastic flying airplane. Trim seemed perfect, but who the hell knows I was too excited on the first flight. Verified radio and transponder worked OK. Made several laps around the patch and two landings (last one a squea! ker!) a nd had to call it a day due to pressing single father duties. I laughed and sang songs all the way home. This is ONE HELL OF A CHRISTMAS PRESENT!

 

Thanks to RANS, Inc. for building a great aircraft. Also thanks to Ted Bryant, RANS dealer for his

continued support.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. Hot Damn! I'm back in the saddle again...!

 

Mark Ambrose