First flights

WW has a flight operations manual with information on what to do to prior first flights with a Corvair engine. Since I've not got anywhere near that yet, I've not bought it, but on the CorvairListServe, items come up in discussion on a regular basis regarding this matter, so I'll add them here until I compile a proper first flight checklist.

• Use 100LL for the first flight and the first 40 hours. 100LL rated on the same scale as car gas would have an octane number of around 114. The fuel will allow your engine to tolerate a timing error, poor cooling design, or a slight lean out, or even a combination of these with far less likelihood of detonation.
• Mount a video camera to a strong location with a full view of the engine panel and instruments for taxi tests, high-speed runups and initial flights. It will enable the pilot to keep his head up for critical parts of takeoff and landing and allow for a more comprehensive review of engine readouts, aircraft sounds, etc.