Cozy III
Pilot’s Operating Handbook Page 51
APPENDIX II:
(Flight Test Procedures)
As you complete the final checkout on your new airplane, you
are going to be hot to fly your first flight. You may push a little
too hard at the last minute and try to fly prematurely, possibly
with something wrong with your airplane. To avoid this
"homebuilder syndrome", give the only key to your bird to a close
friend (preferably one who really likes you and to whom you owe
money) and give the absolute authority to say "go" or "no go" to
your initial flight tests. With all the other things you are thinking
about, it is best to give the decision (of whether the airplane is
ready) to someone else. If you really get a bad case of
"homebuilder's syndrome" your friendship may be strained
somewhat, but you will be able to make up after you have tested
your new bird safely. A little champagne seems to help!
This "homebuilder's syndrome" has been a major factor in many
first-flight accidents. Typical of this problem is where an
individual spends all his time and money building his airplane
and, for several years, lets his flying proficiency lapse. Very
typically we find a finished homebuilt with the owner/pilot
seriously lacking in pilot proficiency. In one case the pilot who
tried to fly his first flight on his homebuilt had only one flight in
the last two years!!! Another problem surfaces about the time
the aircraft is ready to fly -- "Ego", that is, "I built the machine, I'll
fly it. After all, who knows more about my machine than me? I
built it!" The homebuilder is understandably proud of his creation
and becomes very possessive. So, we find the proud
builder/pilot at the end of the runway "ready" for takeoff with
possibly a bad case of "homebuilder syndrome". But he won't
know it until just after liftoff when he finds himself suddenly thrust
into an environment he is ill-prepared to handle.
The best remedy for "homebuilder syndrome" is to accept help
on your flight testing from an experienced COZY pilot. Then get
a good checkout from him after you meet the currency
requirements.
GROUND TESTING
Don't just race out and fly your airplane first thing. You will
spend a while checking out all of your systems on the ground
before you leap off on the first flight. The first order of business
is to check out your engine system thoroughly. Ground run it for
an hour or so at low to medium power. Run it with the top
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