Congrats on your first flight!!! I think on my first flight I will be wearing a little more safety equipment, like a helmet and a nomex flight suit and nomex gloves, just in case. Good luck on all your flights!!
Congratulations on your first flight!! I just purchased a Thatcher CX-4. I have to finish’s the wings and install an engine. Can’t wait to fly it. How do you like the Thacher so far? How many hours don you have in it? Thanks so for sharing. ✈️
Congratulations on your first flight! I have built two aircraft and there is nothing like the first flights. I have an RV9 but am considering a Thatcher CX4 or 5. I'm located in Indiana.... looks like you are out west somewhere. I would like to see p photo of your craft sometime. Blue Skies to you!
Near Salt Lake in Utah. Elevation is around 4300 msl. There are more videos on my channel showing the airplane from outside. Blue skies to you as well !
Todd, Congratulations again on the superior build skills and airmanship evident in these videos. Also once again, as I did on your fabulous landing video and in my surviving posts to the Thatcher build/interest group, I will risk threats of physical violence from and condemnation by our resident control freak sociopath [and possible expulsion from the group by our ineffectual Moderator] to make some hopefully constructive observations in the interests of safety.... which is always supposed to be our goal...for your benefit and other pilots stopping by.... especially low timers or prospective pilots just beginning what will ideally be a long, safe, and uniquely rewarding avocation. Please, PLEASE... always open a vent window or door or canopy and shout 'CLEAR", then wait a few seconds [and listen for a response] before hitting the starter. I would not be surprised from your professionalism evident in everything else I have seen that this was a one time lapse understandable in these uniquely weighty circumstances but [as a Gold Seal CFII-ME and aircraft accident investigator] had to mention. I have seen too many close calls where well-intentioned bystanders dash under the cowling of a trike or twin to pull an overlooked chock without coordination with or notice by the PIC. A thorough initial control check should be done at rest before or after runup and don't just physically check freedom of movement but visually confirm appropriate response from each control surface...especially with the unparalleled glorious 360° visibility of your winged chariot CX4. I saw you do a quick stick stir heading for the runway at 3:53 and again during an excessively high speed taxi back from your first rolling pass down the runway. TWO problems with that. #1 You are only checking aileron and elevator fluidity and not what is especially critical in older aircraft: where there may be some fraying cables or other interference between those and rudder movement... especially at their respective travel limits. #2 Going full travel on anything with airspeed alive taxiing can lead to unintended consequences especially in gusty conditions. This final suggestion is kind of a finesse item but in extremis can avoid aborting the mission from a climbout overtemp on departure. I found it especially critical in notoriously close-cowled aircraft in southwest USA ops... specifically Katana DA-20 [which amusingly also have a composite airframe temp limit announced by a turkey-style pop-up "done" signal], 172RG, and Cessna 303. Ramp space and blast area permitting, always run up facing directly into the wind. Also a stability benefit. Thanks for sharing your experiences flying that beautiful bird.
Congrats on your first flight!!! I think on my first flight I will be wearing a little more safety equipment, like a helmet and a nomex flight suit and nomex gloves, just in case. Good luck on all your flights!!
Congratulations on your first flight!! I just purchased a Thatcher CX-4. I have to finish’s the wings and install an engine. Can’t wait to fly it. How do you like the Thacher so far? How many hours don you have in it? Thanks so for sharing. ✈️
I have the coolest dad around !
Absolutely true ! And the happiest son...
Thank you! :)
Which engine?
Congratulations on your first flight! I have built two aircraft and there is nothing like the first flights. I have an RV9 but am considering a Thatcher CX4 or 5. I'm located in Indiana.... looks like you are out west somewhere. I would like to see p photo of your craft sometime. Blue Skies to you!
Near Salt Lake in Utah. Elevation is around 4300 msl. There are more videos on my channel showing the airplane from outside. Blue skies to you as well !
What weight are you?
175lbs
Todd, Congratulations again on the superior build skills and airmanship evident in these videos. Also once again, as I did on your fabulous landing video and in my surviving posts to the Thatcher build/interest group, I will risk threats of physical violence from and condemnation by our resident control freak sociopath [and possible expulsion from the group by our ineffectual Moderator] to make some hopefully constructive observations in the interests of safety.... which is always supposed to be our goal...for your benefit and other pilots stopping by.... especially low timers or prospective pilots just beginning what will ideally be a long, safe, and uniquely rewarding avocation.
Please, PLEASE... always open a vent window or door or canopy and shout 'CLEAR", then wait a few seconds [and listen for a response] before hitting the starter. I would not be surprised from your professionalism evident in everything else I have seen that this was a one time lapse understandable in these uniquely weighty circumstances but [as a Gold Seal CFII-ME and aircraft accident investigator] had to mention. I have seen too many close calls where well-intentioned bystanders dash under the cowling of a trike or twin to pull an overlooked chock without coordination with or notice by the PIC.
A thorough initial control check should be done at rest before or after runup and don't just physically check freedom of movement but visually confirm appropriate response from each control surface...especially with the unparalleled glorious 360° visibility of your winged chariot CX4. I saw you do a quick stick stir heading for the runway at 3:53 and again during an excessively high speed taxi back from your first rolling pass down the runway. TWO problems with that. #1 You are only checking aileron and elevator fluidity and not what is especially critical in older aircraft: where there may be some fraying cables or other interference between those and rudder movement... especially at their respective travel limits. #2 Going full travel on anything with airspeed alive taxiing can lead to unintended consequences especially in gusty conditions.
This final suggestion is kind of a finesse item but in extremis can avoid aborting the mission from a climbout overtemp on departure. I found it especially critical in notoriously close-cowled aircraft in southwest USA ops... specifically Katana DA-20 [which amusingly also have a composite airframe temp limit announced by a turkey-style pop-up "done" signal], 172RG, and Cessna 303. Ramp space and blast area permitting, always run up facing directly into the wind. Also a stability benefit.
Thanks for sharing your experiences flying that beautiful bird.