Terry Lutz

RV-8

A letter from Terry after his first flight.

The first flight of RV-8 N8TL, “Sweet Nancy Lynn”, was completed today, 6/20/06, under a clear blue sky. I flew for 55 minutes from Tripp Creek Airport with Robert Parker flying chase in his RV-8, “Sizzlin’ Sue”. The first flight and subsequent second flight from Tripp Creek to Mason were uneventful.

I started the airplane in my basement in the Fall of 1997, and it took nearly 9 years to complete, even though it is a “quick build” kit. And yes, Carl, I managed to get into the air before you did in your RV-10! For those of you who have built and flown an experimental airplane, you know just how difficult the level of effort can be leading up to the first flight. I want to thank all of the many friends I have who have prodded, drilled holes, designed gizmos, crimped wires, deciphered diagrams, and provided completely unknown but talented skills for me along the way. Without you it would never have happened.

Attached is a photo of my Dad, Ernie Lutz (DFC, B-26), and myself in “Sweet Nancy Lynn” with the famous “RV Grin”, immediately following shutdown after the first flight.

Best Regards,

Terry Lutz

Ted Gauthier (FAA/Dar) ---------Terry Lutz

Terry Lutz recieves his Airworthiness Certificate from Ted Gauthier the D.A.R. (Deginated Airworthiness Representive). Terry's RV-8 officially became an airplane on June 10, 2005.

Terry Lutz RV-8 (left) Bob Parker RV-8(right)

Terry is doing a run-up of the engine for his final inspection to recieve his documents from the FAA-DAR.

Terry is wondering if he will ever finish building his airplane?

Attached are two photos of my airplane taken today. Between Roy and I, we put in 110 hours on the project between Jan 10th and today. It really paid off. In the photos, you can see that the fwd baggage door is flush and secure. We worked and worked on that, and drilled out and replaced some strategic rivets, and as you can see, the fit is terrific. It closes tightly, and the latch is nice and tight. I was so jazzed by the way it turned out, I bumped my head on the ceiling while jumping up and down!

Then we mounted the propeller. For those of you who have not seen one, this is the new blended airfoil propeller offered by Hartzell. No, we did not drop it and have to file it down! It actually came that way. It looks faster than Parker’s airplane just sitting there!

I got up early today and finished up the spinner backing plate so we could put on the propeller and just for grins, we laid the top cowl on to check the fit. It’s really beginning to look like and airplane, and I am starting to see some empty drawers in my parts bins.