I've noticed that a lot of pilots don't have any set procedure they follow when they maiden flight a new plane. I saw a nice new plane get its gear ripped off today simply because the pilot didn't know what the stall speed was for the plane. I use a "routine" that helps prevent needless accidents like this one and I was wondering how many other pilots use a set procedure and what it is. After trimming for "hands-off" flight, I immediately do several stalls by decreasing the throttle while maintaining level flight. The stalls are the very first thing I do so that no matter what else happens during the flight, I'll be comfortable landing the plane. I know the stall speed and I also try to pick out the warning signs that I'm nearing stall speed. Additionally, I have a good idea how quickly the plane bleeds off speed and how steep a glide slope it'll need if it should deadstick on me. After that, I do a few approaches. Then I go back "upstairs" and play for a bit. I don't usually have a long maiden flight, though. I like to get back down and check for things that might have loosened up.
I would like to hear from others to see what you get out of a maiden flight. Do you do something "special" that most people don't think to do? Or maybe you just have a "trademark" maneuver you do on maidens.

I try to do much the same as you. I am not much for taxi tests. Enough to know that I can control it and what it does in transition (tailwheel aircraft) then it is up in the air and a fast grab for altitude. At a safe height I trim it out and test low speed as you do. If I have dual rates set up, I will check out the high rate performance (like to start on low). I spend some time getting familiar with its appearance in the air and then start working the approaches. Pick a good one and put her down.

I also like to do it alone in the air (not always possible) and have a sage advisor standing by to help talk some sense into me should some unexpected challenge arise. I have done my own maidens after my trainer. It has to be one of the greatest fealings in the hobby, when it has been brought back whole and reflyable. Would not want to hand that to anyone else.

Enjoy!

Bedford

It's always nice to have someone nearby when it all gets in the handbasket [:@]. Even if they can't help with the actual problem, they can help calm the frayed nerves. I agree with the do-it-yourself maidens. I do all of my own, plus I do quite a few for less experienced pilots. Those are usually the ones that turn out to be a handful if I miss something that should have been adjusted before flying. One step that I always take (every daythat I fly) is on the first flight, before I begin to taxi, I make one last check of control surface directions. I've seen pilots take off with a plane that they've been flying awhile and somehow, they have the ailerons reversed. That's never a pretty sight.

I like to be the only one in the air when doing a maiden, hopefully to include somebody not even running an engine on the ground. It's good to have an experienced pilot at your side to help with trims if it's really bad and also to help talk you through an unexpected problem. Other than the usual groundchecks, I just try to get it in the air a mistake or two high and start trimming it out for level flight. After it's flying straight and level I make several laps for 5 minutes or so to get the feel of it then bring it in for a landing. I keep the first flight short, usually due to nerves. I don't trust chopping the throttle to check the stall characteristics. I land it a little hot instead.

Slow- and high-speed taxi for starters. After that it's take her up and trim for straight and level flight, then stall tests, stable glide tests, basic maneuverability, then several approaches to establish glide angle and approach speed before landing and thorough examination.

After take off I go straight up to good altitude.

1- trim elevator for level flight at cruise speed.
2- trim aileron for level flight at cruise speed
3- trim rudder for straight flight at cruise speed
4- once flying straight and level, at good altitude bring throttle back and let the plane just float straight - see how it reacts. Repeat a few times to see if it consistently does the same thing.
5- Then I go back up again , again cut throttle back let plane float as i feed in elevator to see how it will stall. Again, do this a few times so you get to know the plane.

6 - Once comfortable I will go inverted and see if I need to move weight forward or back(for aerobatic/3D flying).

This is simply my approach.

My focus is to keep the plane at a good altitude and work on 1 piece at a time. Key is to remain calm

hi
what would you think cruise speed should be 1/2 or 3/4 throttle? thanks

That would depend on the pilot and the plane. Trainers and other "floater" type planes can usually cruise slower. Some planes will start getting a little touchy at half throttle if they are very far out of trim. The key is to slow to a comfortable speed. That can mean different things to different pilots, as well.

i do exactly what i do for regular flights, fuel up check the plane and just fly it. it calms the nerves alot more doing what you always do compared to changing up everything

I guess that I'm quite the opposite. I find the "jitters" to be a lot less if I have a plan of action before I take off. The most important item, in my mind, is to "find the stall". I like to know what the plane is going to do when it stalls, and more importantly, I like to see a stall before it happens so that I can prevent it. That makes the first landings much easier without coming in at mach 1 to ensure adequate airspeed. I spend the first few flights getting to know the plane. I have a basic flight plan in mind before I leave the ground. I think it's a lot less nervewrecking to know what the capabilities and characteristics of the plane are so that surprises can be avoided. If I find a nasty habit when I have plenty of altitude, it doesn't phase me in the least. It's when you learn something new about your airplane at low altitude that you get into trouble.

I like to do a snap as soon as the plane getshigh enough off the runway to clear the wingtips. If it can't do a decent snap I just assume it bites the dust early.
After that, it's relaxing.

Relaxing Indeed. Tom L