9/17/2002
First Flight For Flash!!!!
After approximately 2000 hours of work spread over 5 1/2 years, RV-6 N617AR (nickname Flash) took to the skies for the first time at 10:28am on 9/17/02 with RV Central's Jay Pratt at the controls.  Alex DeDominicis, my transition trainer, flew chase with me in the passenger seat.  Jay flew for 30 minutes and landed, then Alex flew for 30.  After that we went for Mexican food.  There were reports by those in attendance that I was a little excited.  My heartfelt thanks to my family and friends for encouraging me to never grow up.

9/13/2002
Papers, Baby!
Getting the airworthiness certificate from DAR Mel Asberry (Jay Pratt photo).

9/4/2002
Running Engine and Weighed, Baby !!!
Spun the fan for three minutes.  Jay Pratt here doing 
the honors.  I manned the fire extinguisher.

Weighing in at 1031 lbs.  Empty aircraft CG is 70.49 inches aft of datum.  
The weight & balance data sheet in the plans call for it to be somewhere between 
68.7 and 76.8.  Jim Vroom here watching the scale.

Jay shows his muscle.

8/21/2002
Wings Baby !!!  They're Bolted In !!!

click to enlarge

8/7/02 shots

(click to enlarge to 1024x768 pixels)	Powered up with a test display showing. (click to enlarge)
wiring...note the removable fuse sub panel that allows for easy maintenance  (click to enlarge)	how to cool off

N617AR Uses:

  Cockpit

• Oregon Aero seats
• UPS Aviation Technologies Apollo Full Stack
• Navaid Autopilot
• RC Allen electric A/H from Kelly Industries, Inc.
• Lightspeed headsets
• EI, Inc 'Superclock'
• CO Guardian Carbon Monoxide detector
• Ray Allen Company stick grips and elevator trim.
• Aerox Oxygen
• iPaq running Control Vision Anywhere Map

  Firewall Forward

• Sensenich 70CM metal prop and aluminum spinner.
• Vetterman Exhaust
• Unison Lasar Electronic Ignition
• SkyTec starter
• Niagra Air Parts Alternator and Oil Cooler
• Will use Exxon Elite aviation oil
• Cylinders overhauled at Sentry.

  Other 

• NationAir Insurance
• Avery Tools (built with)
• Whelen strobes
• Terry Jantzi Steering Link
• Koger shade
• Turtlewood Design Gear Stiffeners
• Primed with an AXIS Products HVLP paint sprayer
• Vinyl Graphics from Freedom Sign & Graphics
• Battery from Concorde Battery

Links to past construction:

• The Tail Kit - Jan '97 thru Jun '98
• The Wing Kit - Jun '98 thru Jan '00
• The Fuselage Kit - Jan '00 thru Feb '02
• The Engine - Purchased used Jun '99.  Cylinders done at Sentry