The maiden flight occurred at the SPA contest in Asheville, NC this past weekend. The airplane felt great, but I flew my ''seasoned'' WM Intruder in the contest and it was just as well. A few minor issues did crop up with the Deception. The plane dropped one of the aileron pushrod links, and I noted some irregularity in centering of the rudder servo. Found the rudder pushrod was rubbing against a fuselage former, and replaced all pushrod links with the steel press-on type. Serious trimming at every opportunity... coming up.
Second flight yesterday... again was very impressed with the airplane. Consecutive rolls, no problem, 4-point rolls, no pulling to wheels or to canopy, loops, large, round - and track nicely, stall turn, clean and easy, inverted flight, very little down elevator needed, inverted climb at 45 degrees and neutral elevator, very gentle tendancy to lower nose. I'm a happy camper!
There remained a problem with the rudder (which didn't occur until landing). The rudder seemed to be jammed in full deflection. On closer inspection (at home), it appeared that there was a problem at the exit end of the pushrod as well. I think that's resolved now, and I also figured out how to set up the Hitec engine cutoff feature.
Got a medical appointment tomorrow, will try to fly again Wednesday. (got to get the time now because I've got a pretty full load of classes to teach starting in a couple of weeks - then I'll be limited to weekends).
ChiefK