Maiden Flight

What is the meaning of maiden flight?
The maiden flight, also known as first flight, of an aircraft is the first occasion on which it leaves the ground under its own power.

The maiden flight of a new aircraft is always an exciting occasion and can be quite emotional for those involved. It can be dangerous because the exact handling characteristics of the aircraft are still generally unknown. The maiden flight of a new aircraft is almost always flown by a highly experienced pilot. Maiden flights are usually accompanied by a group of friends and members to help verify items like setup, radio configuration, altitude, airspeed, and general airworthiness. When successful, it is a celebratory event to say the least.

Below, we will proudly post our members recent maiden flights to share the news and the experience, virtually, with the club.

Click here to view or leave a comment for one of Black Dirt Squadron's most recent maiden flights!

Date: October 2023

Pilot in Command: Sal Apice

Aircraft: 42% Van's RV4

Description: This was a wonderful kit to put together. It took me about six months to get fully assembled. The kit quality is top notch. During the build I was following a Canadian build thread on this RV4 from several people to learn some tips and tricks. One tip in particular was the silicone bottom of the clear canopy where it touches the fuse to help eliminate vibration. The maiden flight needed a lot of down trim, so I'll be adding nose weight on the next flight. The flight characteristics were very nice using the recommended factory throws, and the RV4 flew solid. Landing was very stable and felt predictable. Thank you to everyone at the field that day for your help in making this a successful maiden

Waiver: n/a