Like my all-slow build, phase 1 testing is also going slowly. A few squawks have required parts to be ordered from the USA to fix, that’s cost me weeks at a time. I’ve had to move Hangars, which was a big job and moving into the new Hangar is ongoing. Weather, Covid, other commitments all get in the way. I’m not on any deadline so I’m just letting flight test proceed at its own pace.
Having said that, I’m 15 hours into phase 1 flight test and the aircraft is simply awesome. Engine break-in went well, and for such a complex aircraft there have been very few problems. The redundant power system in particular has exceeded expectations.
Here’s XVG taking off from YCBG at 7am on Feb 25 2025 to test fly some instrument approaches under VFR. I’m particularly appreciative of test pilot Kayle for ongoing test flight assistance; Kayle at the controls for this flight.
March 28 update: Now 20 hours into phase 1. Here’s a video taken near the North Coast of Tasmania during a recent autopilot testing and fuel flow calibration flight. Cruising Lean-of-Peak, fuel flow is showing as ~44 litres per hour. After refilling tanks post flight, this turned out to actually be 41 litres per hour. Calibration factors in the EFIS displays were changed post-flight to correct this error.
April 2 update: Now 23+ hours into phase 1 testing, and almost done. At the same time we did full aft CG gross weight stability testing, we took the opportunity – while the back seat and baggage compartment were full of sand bags – to do some circuit tests as well. I hated piling so much weight in the back of the aircraft, but we have to test to the limits. As it turned out, the RV-10 took all this in its stride.
First video is the takeoff at gross weight, full aft CG.
Next is a flapless touch-n-go, at full aft CG and near gross weight (yes, it’s a bumpy runway):
Finally, a short field landing (without hard braking), full aft CG and near gross weight.