It's not often that a new airplane builder has a test pilot volunteer to do first flight and development flying. But Andy Chiavetta, former nationally ranked (number five) skimboarder-turned-raceplane builder, had the respect, advice, and curiosity of not only race partner Darryl Greenamyer (four-time Sport Class and seven-time Reno Unlimited champion) but also top test pilot Len Fox, as Andy brought his dream to the air this spring, and then to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
Len explained the plane's flight characteristics, after some 20 test flights (including the plane's first). His in- sights are telling, both for Aerochia (Andy's company) and for any would-be designer or builder.
"I first saw this airplane as a drawing on [aerodynami- cist] Greg Cole's office wall in Bend, Oregon," said Len. "When the time finally came for the first flight, Andy's friend Darryl Greenamyer wasn't available, so I was happy to oblige.
EAA EXPERIMENTER 19