Just came from Flying Lines site aand reading Orin Humphries trip to the NATS.  Over 2,000 miles one way is a trip.  His exsperience getting ready and what happened once there.   I vaguely remember meeting him at the Lincoln NE. NATS.  it is well worht the read in my opinion.  Thanks Orin for the write up.

Here is link to Orin's writeup
http://www.flyinglines.org/orin.23.nats.html

Test flights are always nerve racking. I approach the 1st flight very carefully just like the full size guys do

1a) engine runs in the test stand & verify CG location
1b) line guide location - hang the model from the leadouts and verify I have positive line rake
2) slow taxi test - looking for any ground control issues like turning in towards me
3) fast taxi test - continue to look for turning in towards me
4) High speed run - almost at flight speed. get the tailwheel off the ground
5) low level flight - with enough power to lift off just a few feet evaluate the elevator control (too sensitive and cg location)
6) full power flight - throttle up to flight speed and take it up

I do not ramp the throttle up to full power and just release and hope for the best. The taxi test and low level flight will show a lot of problems without risking the model. I was flying a friends brodak Bearcat and when I got the model a few feet off the ground it was CG unstable, I had to lock my hand, throttled back and knocked one gear door but the model survived. We added nose weight and all was good.

Fred