Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:38 pm
by WesRagle
Hi Guys,
My Onex is on the cusp of completion. As first flight gets closer I’m thinking more and more about all that goes into Phase I testing and preparing myself for what lies ahead.
I’m a low time pilot with only about 250-300 hours total time. Fifty hours in a C-150 while earning my license. From there I transitioned into an RV-6A and flew that airplane for somewhere around 100 Hrs. I then flew a Champ for about 10 hours while earning my tailwheel endorsement. Next I transitioned into a TW Sonex which I flew for somewhere over 100 hrs. That’s it.
I recently flew for the first time in many (12?) years. I went up with my instructor in his Champ, and yes, that airplane kicked my butt. It served a wake up call for just how long it’s been.
I know there are a lot of knowledgeable guys on the list so I thought I would start a thread where I could ask some of the (somewhat random) “flying” questions that pop into my head as the flying part of this project approaches.
So here goes:
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I’ll be poking around the web, but any links you guys could provide to good “Phase I” reading material would be appreciated. Sonex specific information especially appreciated.
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I’ve been looking through the Onex flight manual (provided by Sonex LLC) noting some of blanks that have to be filled in. One of the tables needing filled in is “Cruise Performance with Full Fuel”. The table has entries for several different altitudes at several different RPMs with the airspeed entered as TAS. I’ve watched Mike Farley’s videos on flying the turbo several times and they seem to indicate/confirm that, as long as an airplane isn’t near stall, the relationship between true airspeed and prop speed is relatively constant with a fixed pitch propeller. Isn’t that the case?
Thanks for Your Time,
Wes
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 2:54 pm
by jrs
I’m low time with huge breaks between flying. What I found very helpful was to put up a copy of flight simulator with pedals and yoke. Could go back to an instructor with no loss of skill set even after a decade long break. I have recently put in a model that I believe is close to response of sonex. Even if I never fly again I am very happy to have a project in the basement to work on and flying it as at least a possibility.
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 6:31 pm
by Rynoth
Wes, this would be my first recommended link:
https://www.eaa.org/Shop/ProductCatalog … ID=2695484
This is a good start, and can help you plan for your first flight as well as your Phase 1 testing. There is a lot of fill-in-the-blank regarding your own specific aircraft, but it provides a very good outline on tasks to be performed and things to watch out for.
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:09 pm
by WesRagle
Hi,
jrs wrote:What I found very helpful was to put up a copy of flight simulator with pedals and yoke.
I have a good instructor and I know he’ll catch my mess ups. I’ll just keep working at the real thing until I’m comfortable again. I think part of my problem was that the Champ seems to take control inputs as suggestions rather than commands. A lot of stick displacement and a lot of rudder. And, have I ever mentioned that I really liked the direct link tailwheel steering of a Sonex 
Hi Ryan,
Rynoth wrote:This is a good start, and can help you plan for your first flight as well as your Phase 1 testing.
Thanks. I was about to place the order and then thought maybe there were other good reads available from EAA and I could save on shipping if I placed a single order. So if anybody has more suggestions from EAA that would be great.
Meanwhile I pulled out my old copy of Stick and Rudder and I’ll read that again.
Thanks,
Wes
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:48 pm
by wlarson861
I had not flown for over 20 years when I was near completion of my Sonex. I took about 11 hours of dual in a Champ for a current bi-annual. The stick of the champ felt like it was set in cement compared to my Luscomb and I didn’t like the flight experience. The first flight in the Sonex was a single trip around the pattern and a landing. The stick forces were light and responsive but not abrupt and the landing was the easiest tail wheel landing . The only thing I did wrong was continue to flair too long and touched tail wheel first, Get the attitude sight picture pre-take off and get the same attitude at the numbers and let the plane settle without continuing pulling the nose higher and it will three point. If you can land the Champ and still reuse the airplane then you can have a blast with any Sonex plane. Good luck and looking forward to that first flight report and the Sonex grin.
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:01 am
by Rynoth
wlarson861 wrote:The only thing I did wrong was continue to flair too long and touched tail wheel first,
For what it’s worth, I don’t think that’s a big deal. With the deck angle being as shallow as it is in a taildragger Sonex, it’s quite easy to touch the tailwheel first before stall speed. A good portion of my landings touch the tailwheel first and they are generally my smoother landings.
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:14 am
by WesRagle
Hi Bill,
wlarson861 wrote:I took about 11 hours of dual in a Champ for a current bi-annual. The stick of the champ felt like it was set in cement compared to my Luscomb and I didn’t like the flight experience.
Thanks for that. I thought it was just me. I did enjoy the few minutes we spent just flying around but maneuvering a Champ isn’t fun. Everyone says it’s a great plane for training. I think that’s because it has all the bad traits you read about in spades. But I am grateful to have a good TW instructor. They aren’t easy to find around here. Anyway, I guess that’s why they call it pattern work instead of pattern play 
I remember transitioning to the Sonex not being a big deal. I plunked it in a couple of times just because I wasn’t used to being that close to the runway. I startle myself once on takeoff. The Sonex is light in pitch and I wasn’t used to “feeling” the airplane off the ground. A friend who had test flown the airplane told me to just raise the tail, wait for XX seconds, and rotate. I did that but I over rotated, then I over corrected, then I … I almost got into a PIO but settled down before it got serious.
For me, now is the time for patience. An admirable trait my wife says I lack.
Wes
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:30 am
by builderflyer
Hi Wes,
Your flying time in the various aircraft you describe makes you an experienced pilot compared to many (maybe most) other Sonex (Onex) pilots about to do their first test flight, even more so than some prominent members of the Sonex factory team. But as you recognize, what you require is recency of experience, and you’re getting that now. Although I wasn’t an inexperienced pilot, what was most helpful to me was that another Sonex pilot allowed me to make takeoffs and landings in the right seat of his Sonex before I made the first flight in mine. Is there anyone in your area who would let you do that? What is your insurance company demanding of you?
Your biggest challenge may be unlearning what you learned about adverse aileron yaw in flying the Champ…but you already know that as well.
Art,Sonex taildragger #95,Jabiru 3300 #261
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 2:27 pm
by WesRagle
Hi Art,
builderflyer wrote:But as you recognize, what you require is recency of experience, and you’re getting that now.
Yea, that’s what it’s all about. The mechanics of flight are pretty easy to understand, the trick is making the application of knowledge instinctive. It reminds me of the post Robbie made some time back (Ref. http://sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5175&p=39233#p39233). The instructor kept pulling power on the student until it was instinctive to push the nose over on loss of power.
builderflyer wrote:Although I wasn’t an inexperienced pilot, what was most helpful to me was that another Sonex pilot allowed me to make takeoffs and landings in the right seat of his Sonex before I made the first flight in mine. Is there anyone in your area who would let you do that? What is your insurance company demanding of you?
Really, I haven’t checked on any of this yet. Right now I’m stuck in paperwork he**. Until I can get my aircraft registered I can’t schedule the airworthiness inspection. With the Sonex I couldn’t get insurance without 10 hours in type. That wasn’t practical so I just decided to fly the airplane for 10 hours without insurance. Not smart, but it’s that patience thing again. I will look for some right seat time in a Sonex this time. If I can’t find that I can probably beg some right seat time in an RV. At least this time I can report time in a very similar aircraft.
I’m 63 now and an honest self evaluation reveals some loss of reflexes. I notice that while driving, when I pull up to a busy uncontrolled intersection, one where I don’t have right of way, as I wag my head back and forth trying to find an opening it takes a little longer to focus and assimilate what’s going on after a wag. I think that’s inevitable. My only defense is currency and hopefully the application of a little wisdom.
I’ll get there but it is going to take a little time.
Wes
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:04 pm
by XenosN42
Hi Wes,
I found this very helpful https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_90-89B.pdf You’ll need to pick and choose what applies to your OneX.
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:18 pm
by WesRagle
XenosN42 wrote:Hi Wes,
I found this very helpful https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_90-89B.pdf You’ll need to pick and choose what applies to your OneX.
Thanks Michael. Got it.
Wes
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:40 pm
by builderflyer
WesRagle wrote:
I’m 63 now and an honest self evaluation reveals some loss of reflexes. I notice that while driving, when I pull up to a busy uncontrolled intersection, one where I don’t have right of way, as I wag my head back and forth trying to find an opening it takes a little longer to focus and assimilate what’s going on after a wag. I think that’s inevitable.Wes
Wes, I’m quite a bit older than you and have experienced what you describe in your example. But I prefer to believe, in part, that by the time we have reached our ages and we have witnessed so many other drivers do so many stupid things that we tend to proceed with a bit more caution than what we would have done at a younger age. Nevertheless, your personality comes through loud and clear in your messages and they reveal that you are cautious, thorough and self-reflective, all really excellent traits every good pilot outta have.
Art,Sonex taildragger #95,Jabiru 3300 #261
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:35 pm
by kmacht
WesRagle wrote:I’m 63 now and an honest self evaluation reveals some loss of reflexes. I notice that while driving, when I pull up to a busy uncontrolled intersection, one where I don’t have right of way, as I wag my head back and forth trying to find an opening it takes a little longer to focus and assimilate what’s going on after a wag. I think that’s inevitable. My only defense is currency and hopefully the application of a little wisdom.
Wes
A little off topic but if you have trouble quickly focusing when looking side to side at an intersection make sure you mention this to your doctor and also get your eyes checked regularly. I’m 41 and started having something similar happen last year. I thought I just needed glasses due to age but it got progressively worse to where I eventually couldnt safely drive. Turns out my two eyes were not syncing and moving together when turning my head left and right due to brain lesions affecting one of the optic nerves. Things are better now but could have been bad if I diddnt go to see a doctor when the symptoms first started. My point is, don’t always assume that age is the cause of vision or reflex issues. They may be but its always good to get checked out just in case.
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:13 pm
by WesRagle
Hi Art,
builderflyer wrote:But I prefer to believe, in part, that by the time we have reached our ages and we have witnessed so many other drivers do so many stupid things that we tend to proceed with a bit more caution than what we would have done at a younger age.
That might be part of it. I do believe it’s true that with newer cars the cell phones are much more likely to work than the blinkers
kmacht wrote:A little off topic but if you have trouble quickly focusing when looking side to side at an intersection make sure you mention this to your doctor and also get your eyes checked regularly.
I think my eyes are fine. My focus is fine with the help of blended lenses. The only problem I have is working in tight quarters when I have to look up. Sometimes I have to turn my glasses upside down
Wes
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2020 12:38 am
by WesRagle
Hi Guys,
Went up for another hour in the Champ. Most of the time was spent doing touch and goes on hard surface. Much better this time. Only one landing was really butt ugly. Ended the training with a single grass field landing back at my instructors house. That was gratifying First perfect landing of the day. We’ve decided that I’ll go up for an hour every couple of weeks and then intensify the training as the Onex gets closer to first flight. For now, were just “knocking the rust off”.
So, for now I’ll just continue working on step 2 (Be proficient in your flying skills) of “Preparation for Initial Flights” in the Sonex Builders & Pilots Foundation Transition-Training Syllabus.
BTW, when I told my instructor that the Champ was a hard plane to fly he corrected me. He said no, it’s just a hard plane to fly well which is what makes it such a great trainer.
Forever Forward,
Wes
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 9:53 am
by WesRagle
Hi Guys,
Day number #3 of flying. I think I’m getting better each time up. Probably flew a little too long though. It seems my peripheral vision drops off as it gets darker. The last landing was a bit of a plunker.
My teacher:
When I got home I checked the FAA web site and, after what seems like forever, it looks like my Onex registration went through. Very good news for me! Now I can schedule the airworthiness inspection. That is if the virus doesn’t have everything shut down…
Wes
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 4:19 pm
by WesRagle
Hi Guys,
I kind of left this thread hanging so …
I ended up flying the Champ for about 8 hours over a 7 week period and walked away a humble man with a fresh biennial. The last day was the most intense with a direct 10 knot cross wind. It was exciting enough in the Champ that a small group of spectators gathered to watch the show
Monday a friend made the 83.1 nautical mile trip to KONY and let me fly his RV-6A around for an hour or so including 5 landings. It would be lying to say it wasn’t nice to strap into a sport plane after 8 hours of hard work in the Champ. Before anyone thinks practice in an RV nose wheel airplane isn’t applicable to a tail wheel airplane, think again. Everyone who flies an RV-XA knows that the nose wheel is only good for preventing a prop strike while taxiing. The mains are aft of the CG but the approach,flare, and landing are much the same as in a tail dragger.
The RV is much easier to fly and much easier to land than the Champ. At the same time though, you can sense that it would be a lot easier to get in trouble in the RV. Get off speed just a little (80 mph final) and things don’t feel right.
That’s about it. My instructor and my buddy have declared that I’m ready to fly. Just a matter of all the stars aligning now.
Wes
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 4:39 pm
by Rynoth
You got this Wes!
For what it’s worth, I still land my tailwheel Waiex a lot like a tri-gear, typically either in 3-point or tailwheel first. A bit more rudder required to keep centerline than a typical tri gear. I haven’t tried intentional wheel landings yet. Hold it off just above the runway and let it settle as the airspeed bleeds away.
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 5:24 pm
by WesRagle
Hi Ryan,
Rynoth wrote:You got this Wes!
For what it’s worth, I still land my tailwheel Waiex a lot like a tri-gear, typically either in 3-point or tailwheel first. A bit more rudder required to keep centerline than a typical tri gear. I haven’t tried intentional wheel landings yet. Hold it off just above the runway and let it settle as the airspeed bleeds away.
Thanks. I think it’ll be OK. I spent a day thinking about the first flight. I wrote every step down. From the time I wank into the hangar until roll out on landing every thing is planned. The plan went through a couple of revisions as I ran it past my buddy with the RV. He’s flown everything from a Cassutt to a C5 and is a multi thousand hour retired Air Force instructor. Every revision he suggested was to simplify the initial flight. I’m glad
My only real concerns are maintaining directional control and flaring too high. I do wish that fuel cover wasn’t right where the center line of the runway should be.
I’ll do a few more taxi tests before the big day.
Wes
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 8:43 pm
by Sonex1517
Awesome Wes! Can’t wait to hear that first flight report!
Re: Shiny Airplane/Rusty Pilot - Getting Ready to Fly
by WesRagle » Thu Jun 18, 2020 11:02 pm
HI Robbie,
Sonex1517 wrote:Awesome Wes! Can’t wait to hear that first flight report!
Thanks! I hope it’s a good report
Wes
Wes Ragle
Onex #89
Conventional Gear
Long Tips
Hummel 2400 w/Zenith Carb
Prince P Tip 54x50
First Flight 06/23/2020
42.8 Hrs. as of 10/30/21
WesRagle
Posts: 878
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 12:35 pm
Location: Weatherford, Tx