Another vote for an instructor - except you said you wouldn't so....

Time on a cheap simulator will materially improve your chances of success. Success would include minor damage IMO..

You will also need something that hasn't been mentioned - a plan.

You should have an image of the entire flight in your head. This includes what you should be doing and how your intend to accomplish it.

My suggestion would be to break the flight into 7 phases

Phase 0 - Pre-flight

- Controls move in proper direction
- CG is correct
- Batteries charged
- Fuel full
- All control surfaces secure
- Push rods and keepers in place
- Wind is light
- Sun is not in flight area (you'll fly through it, blind yourself, and crash if not careful)
- etc.

Phase 1 - Ground Handling

- Plane "drives" straight
- Rudder control results in useful steering (instead of over control or no control)
- Runway is smooth enough for flight
- etc.

Phase 2 - Takeoff

- Into the wind
- Light controls
- Prepared for trim issues requiring you to hold some stick to keep level
- Full power
- Altitude altitude altitude
- Wings level with ground
- Altitude altitude altitude (to about 120 feet or more)

Phase 3 - Trim and Turn

- Once upstairs *reduce power* - you'll forget this one, but try not to - 60 - 70% power should work fine - no need to chase a speed demon
- The airplane may be very out of trim in which case you'll be controlling it a lot
- A helper to move trims might be helpful
- Often trimming elevator first is easier
- Then aileron trim
- If rudder is straight on the ground you can probably forget about trimming it on this flight - you'll have enough to do...
- Objective is a plane that flies straight and level at 65% power and no control inputs
- You'll need to be turning so remember to turn away from you to make an oval
- if you take off headed to your right then it'll be all left turns
- otherwise all right turns
- if you find yourself in a "fire fight" an airplane gaining altitude usually is an aircraft buying you some time - translation if your in a panic and the plane is headed up don't stop it until its nice and high

Phase 4 - Flight in Oval pattern

- if you've made it this far then it's time to let the heart slow a little
- keep it high (120 feet or more) and make turns to fly an oval
- keep it simple - all left or all right turns

Phase 5 - Slowing down, learning stall behavior, and practicing decent

- Be high - 120 feet or more
- Reduce power and keep the plane level (constant altitude) w/ elevator until it stalls
- It should fall forward with neither wing dropping
- Increase throttle and climb back to original altitude
- Stay in oval
- Do this several times
- You now know the absolute slowest it can fly
- Now reduce throttle and use elevator to slow decent from 120 ft to 80 ft - don't stall
- Repeat several times
- Now try the 120 -> 80 foot decent as you round the last leg of your oval and are lined up with the runway
- Don't land yet
- Repeat as necessary

Phase 6 - Landing

- Fly downwind and turn to final at about 50 ft high and a good distance out
- Reduce throttle to 5 - 10%
- Control decent speed with elevator - don't stall
- As airplane gets lower focus
- Is it going to fly past the runway? Don't force it - power up and go around
- Is it going to land short of the runway? Don't force it - power up and go around
- Is your decent too fast? Don't force it - power up and go around
- Is your decent too slow? Don't force it - power up and go around

- When your on a good glide path wait until low over runway (4 feet) and cut to 0 throttle
- Continue decent, as airplane gets close to runway use elevator to keep right above surface (i.e. fly level)
- If plane blooms (i.e. nose points up and it starts to climb) ADD Power and go around - it'll stall and crash quickly - use less elevator next time
- Otherwise plane will slow and land.... Ideally on rear gear - even better softly...
- If plane hits hard and bounces you'll have a choice - add power and go around or continue landing - often going around is better, but you'll have the airplane close to earth and your nerves may be shot so use your instincts


Knowing in advance how your plan to handle that various phases of flight is critical. I would suggest mentally rehearsing the plan several times...

I would also suggest a helper who has the plan printed out to remind you of the steps.

If the maiden pilot is your son and you're the helper you both should have an identical flight plan in mind and be prepared to work as a team...

Good luck