~First Flight Page 2~

Heading out to RWY 7L.  The nervousness was about gone by now..time to get busy and pay attention to the task at hand.

Doing the run-up.  All things in the green..time to go!

This little spec in the picture is me, taken by friend Marc who was right seat in Kevin's Bonanza.  As usual.....An RV is out front.  

Ok...back on the ground...time to break out the bubbly!!  

A job well done, fellas...thanks for all of your help.   No flying was done after this picture, I promise!  Notice the lady like hand on the left holding red champagne.  Actually it's sparkling cider...We have a new baby on the way...to bad he/she couldn't see this... Oh well, maybe another first flight down the road?  Time will tell.

~Credits, Acknowledgements, and Thanks~

Conclusion:  This project has been something that I had no idea what I was getting into.  Day after day, night after night, year after year, I got burned out.  It is hard to stay focused on a project that takes so much time, effort, money, and stress on the family.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely.  I forgot about all the stress I went through building this airplane.  I'm sure it will just be reinforced when I'm taking weekend trips to the USS Sedona, San Diego, Vegas, New Mexico, The Bahamas, wherever.  This plane will satisfy the ultimate dream for anyone who has had a burning desire to fly.  What makes it that much more special is that there is a heightened sense of pride, because I did it myself!  I can't believe I actually did it! 

I have many people to thank.  Most of all, my wonderful family.  Pam has been very  supportive.  She has put up with alot after 3 1/2 years of a large portion of my time.  So many women would not put up with it.  Thank you, honey, I love you!

Then there's Ashley.  She's only 4, but she loves airplanes (thanks to her Daddy) and she had to deal with me being at the airport for hours on end on weeknights.  She kept saying, "I want to fly in your airplane, Daddy...when is it going to be done?"  How do you answer that?  You answer it by getting busy and most importantly  managing your time to spend with your family. 

Other thanks go out to Van's, for a great airplane.  Kitplanes have come along way since the days of guys gluing wood together, covering, and flying.  The final product is a dream to fly.

Fellow RV builders Larry Olson, Pete Armbruster, Kevin Hebestriet (non RV, but that's ok),  Mike O'connor, and Tom Velvick for the hours and hours of help.  I couldn't have finished it without you guys.  Thanks. 

Steve Davis for all the help with the panel and fuel caps.  Putting up with many panel changes, and never once complaining...we got it done, buddy! Plug:  http://members.aol.com/panelcut

The EAA for giving me the chance to meet fellow builders listed above, and providing tech counselors such as Jim Berdict and Richard Dewitt.  The RV is safer with your help.

Matt Dralle and the RV-List.  Wow..where do I start.  I have made many  friends along the way from the list.  Most of whom I've never met, but share a common bond.  You can bet your life that I'll meet up with all of them someday at a fly-in to say, "Thanks!"....I could not imagine building an airplane without the Internet and the RV-List. 

Thank you all, and blue skies!

Paul Besing

RV-6A 197AB  Flying!