Update: September 2005 - The RV-9 Flies!
Troy Branch opened the kit on his RV9 only a few short months ago in March, 2004. The RV9 represented many years of hopes and dreams of flying a performing cross country machine and Troy was looking forward to the first flight. There was the inevitable tweaking, repairing and replacing small parts and components, but one day, it all came together. To keep it all legal and safe, Jack Dueck took the pilot’s seat for the first flight. Troy and friends manned the wire cutters, the 4WD and the fire extinguishers, but it was all very anti-climactic. Within the hour C-FTJE taxied into the hangar and the debriefing sounded so familiar; the airplane flew perfectly; the prop’, the engine and airframe worked together like old friends and the aircraft was all and more that Troy had hoped.
There is no thrill like it. No thrill like building your airplane and seeing it leave the ground for the first time.
“One Month Later”
Jessica and Jean were off to the J3 Fly-in. Not being committed morning people, it was about 0930 when we lifted off from the High River Airport, set for Sue and Ron Jansen’s field near Lethbridge. Just after clearing the zone, who should come up on the radio but Troy Branch. “Let’s change Frequencies and do a little formation flying, he said. I’ll be coming up on your right”.
“Do you think you can catch up to me”, I teased. “Well sure, I’ll just open the throttle a little” and within seconds there was C-FTJE tucked in near our right wing.“Whew, Troy, your airplane looks so cool,” “Yours does, too.” We flew along exchanging admiring comments and then Troy peeled off to the right and we kept on to our fly-in.As usual, the the J3 was perfectly setup and organized with Ron acting as Controller. (I highly recommend that.) We met friends and checked out the airplanes and enjoyed the breakfast.
A beautiful fall day, friends and airplanes, more fun than you can imagine! We are blessed…..
