Maiden flight was Sunday the 27th in Dudley, Georgia. Wow I have never been so nervous. My pilot skills are "ok" and I have a good time flying; however, I have a long way to go. I committed to the flight and decided to let her loose. I decided a crash for lack of ground speed would not happen......it was full power or nothing. She tracked good and before I realized it there was loft and rise. Flaps were not utilized this day. After a few minutes in the air and very minimal trims I came in for a landing. I took out a few sweetgum leaves at the end of the runway and got her down safely. You could say a miracle had been witnessed. Second flight was great and the landing greased. WHEW my knees were locked like a virgins legs on prom night ! I checked the plane for loose bolts and issues........found "0". The sweetgum tree left 4 leaves in my cowl and a 10 inch tree top wedged in my strut.

The CG was slight nose down with 4 oz on the nose. I can remove the 4oz once a minimal battery movement is completed.

The Howard is breathtaking. Its a big plane and remember to keep up a lil speed coming in. Better a lil hot than a stall tip wing crash. I had absolutely no hint of a nose over on ground work. I tested her in the grass with full elevator and the tail never bumped up and down. One modification will be a tighter spring assembly on the tailwheel. I found the tailwheel not responding with authority once the rudder is moved. An exageration of the rudder was needed to get adequate tailwheel movement. This wont work for me and its a quick fix. Thanks for looking at my build. I hope it helps someone a lil bit in the future. I am a novice pilot and builder of 5 arf"s so my contribution to a builder's cause is probably minimal.

Teddy Burgess Jr.
Dublin, Ga.
478 484 4879