I've enjoyed the debate about how to handle the first flight... that unexpected
shock at the end of the building process. I will suggest what worked for me two
years ago when I had to test fly a homebuilt that was entirely untested by it's
builder (not me!). I did a careful annual, several days of high-speed taxi
testing, thought about how odd the whole experience seemed...visually, control
response, limited feedback from control position... ,and I realized this was a
risk I could reduce by asking a GREAT, vs. a good, pilot to do the first
flight and then brief me on what to expect and what to do when. I have no
regrets that I can't boast of doing the first flight. No one cares! No one.
Take care of your project, your family, and sport aviation by getting the best
qualified pilot to do your experimental first flight. I did, and I am proud of
my choice. Do your high-speed taxi training after your plane has flown with a
"genius" pilot. Peter
