Vertical Power VP-X Pro - 8 Flight Test; Notes about First Flight; VP-X System Checkout

Page 64
VP-X Installation and Operating Manual
Rev. D (August 5, 2020)
8. Flight Test
This section veries the proper operation of the VP-X during ight.
Prior to ight, make sure you understand the following, which is described in
the Operating section:
• How to clear faults
• How to switch devices on and off manually
• How the runaway trim system operates
This section provides a series of recommended steps, and you should
incorporate these steps into the overall ight test plan as you deem
appropriate. Go back and review the ground test steps, as complete and
thorough ground testing will mitigate the risk of trouble while airborne.
Do not y the aircraft until you are comfortable everything
operates correctly on the ground, and you are knowledgeable
about the systems and their proper operation.
8.1 Notes about rst ight
It is the pilot’s responsibility to develop a test plan that ensures a safe and
productive rst ight. Typically, the rst ight is focused on verifying basic
ight characteristics and proper engine operation. With that in mind, we
recommend deferring complete electrical system tests until after you are
comfortable that the engine and airframe are performing as expected,
and you are comfortable ying the aircraft. We recommend the following
conguration for rst or early ights, and it can easily be changed for later
ights:
• Congure the aps to operate in momentary (aps only move when
the ap switch is pressed). It may take a few ights to “dial in” the
proper limit settings for position (aps move to next position when
ap switch pressed), and you can do that once the basic ight
characteristics are proven.
• Be sure to review how to acknowledge and/or reset circuit faults.
If you are installing the system as a retrot, it is still important to complete as
much of the testing on the ground as possible.
8.2 VP-X system checkout
Now that initial aircraft checkout ights are complete, you can proceed with
the electrical system tests.
Once airborne, keep an eye out for trafc and obstacles during the test
procedure. Carry a handheld radio as a backup in case of electrical system
failure. If you encounter any difculties in ight due to improper setup or
unknown electrical system behavior, land as soon as practical or simply turn
off the master switch. If you have completed a thorough check out on the
ground, the chances of problems while airborne are greatly reduced.
Verify each of the following in ight:
• Verify devices turn on and off when switches are turned on. Looking
at the individual current draw is an easy way to verify something is
turned on.
• Verify variable speed trim works as congured.
• Verify wig-wag operates as expected. Note: it may be easier to
test wig-wag on the ground using simulated data from the VP-X
congurator.
• Verify aps operate as expected. The air loads may necessitate
minor changes to the ap settings if congured with intermediate ap
stops.