After a lengthy period of construction and many, many hours of ground testing, Brian's Q-200 took to the air for the first time with Brian at the controls. The day was perfect--a little light breeze right down runway 30 at Mojave Airport. The airplane was ready, the pilot was ready, the ground support vehicle was ready, and the airborne chase was ready. After the first aborted takeoff and taxiback, Brian advanced the throttle and was airborne moments later. The ground support vehicle, driven by Norm Howell, was used to get a close look at the takeoff characteristics of the aircraft and Norm was busy watching for anything unusual. An airborne pickup was conducted by Doug Shane in his Long-EZ with Bob Waldmiller in the back seat taking notes and pictures.
About twenty minutes into the flight, a low fuel indication prompted a precautionary return to the airport. By this time, Brian was ready for his first landing in the Q-200 after having felt out the airplane's basic handling qualities per his flight cards. The landing was perhaps a bit tense, but uneventful.
This is a milestone event not only for Brian but for the chapter and the EAA's Flight Advisor program as well. Brian has been working with the Chapter 1000 Flight Advisor, Norm Howell, for several months prior to the first flight of his Q-200. Over the months, whenever someone would ask when the first flight would be, Brian just answered, "When the pilot is ready." An admirable attitude that we should all emulate.
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