From Steve Backe:   Reno, Nevada  - Tue Jul 07 02:18:34 1998

    Jerry, I checked out your web page updates. Looks good. Enjoyed the Copeland story. I think making frequent updates is good for web pages, it keeps people coming back, particularly builders/owners of Express aircraft. So, I'll make my contribution as well. I sent a couple of photos in the mail to you today. I have also attached a Lotus spreadsheet which is my weight and balance report. Feel free to cut and paste it to your web page if you desire. Lyc. IO-360 builders may find that of particular interest. Its also interested to compare my numbers to Continental and Lyc. IO-540 aircraft. I would like to see more actual data from builder's experiences more readily available. I think your web page would make an excellent gathering point for that. Since I am going through my test flights, I would find test flight results from other builders of particular interest. Back to my airplane.
Readers: For comments or questions contact Steve at "Steve Backe" sbacke@hotmail.com

    If you want to include some text, consider the following: The first flight of N154PS occurred on Saturday, April 18, 1998, at 1:00pm from Reno-Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. Test pilot, David Cronin, was at the controls. Field elevation is 5,000 feet, with density altitude it was 6,200 feet. Takeoff RPM was 2,650 (the governor needed some adjustment). The aircraft performed well, although there were immediate cooling problems. The flight was short, about 10 minutes, due to high oil temperatures. The airplane handled well. After making some significant cowling alterations, including installation of cowl flaps, the second flight occurred May 30. Flight time was 30 minutes, and the airplane performed a variety of maneuvers including a full stall series. As can be seen from the photo, there is more work to be done. The empty weight of the airplane included final paint and upholstered seats, but did not include wheel pants, final cowl paint, and the balance of the interior. The immediate focus is on flying the airplane.

    The balance of the work will come later, particularly since I now work in San Francisco during the week, and the airplane lives in Reno! Since Bob Gisburne took the lead flying in prime colors, I figure I can get by for a while flying with a grey nose! As news develops, I'll send additional reports.

The following is his Weight and Balance information  Steve Backe Test Data as a MS Word.doc file (click here)

  Steve Backe Test Data