The pelican briefs: You only get one chance to make a good first impression.

For today, ( Sunday ) we had a pretty tight work schedule, as we are trying to get all planes ready for November 8th when the club will have it's yearly flight festival. We really want to put a good show.

By the time I arrived to the hanger, the place was running full steam. On one side Juan finishing the cockpit assembly of Gerardo's Chinook, sporting shiny new covers and fresh paint job.

At the other end, Gamal mounting the the HKS engine on the FOX VI ultralight, which is almost ready for it's maiden flight.

Gerardo in the hanger coordinating the logistics and doing general cleanup work.

Seeing this, and not wanting to interrupt the brisk pace of work going on, I resigned myself to wait till next weekend before being able to give a good first look to the just arrived GOAT ultralight glider.

But then, I though... maybe I could just take a quick look to make an inventory of what arrived, that way if something was missing or broken during inspection (by our "wonderful friends"<sarcasm> at port customs) I could email the builder ( Michael Balogh in New York) right away.

First looks at the gear

How naive of me. I had not finished popping open the first crate, and people where already dropping by to see what was inside. Like kids on Christmas day, each one grabbed a piece and carefully inspected them while pronouncing their opinion on the product. Ahh great , it is *all* aviation aluminum ! (not mixed with cheap stuff , like we got on the 1st Brazilian ultralight) said Juan. Check out the workmanship.. these guys do neat work exclaimed Gamal. Check these edges.. I wonder if they used a CNC to make them asked Gerardo.

And the instructions, someone asked..
Instructions? we "no need no" stinking instructions I joked..

Piece by piece, the main cabana started coming out, the seat, the wheel..
- Ah look , the wheel goes here..
- Pass me a 3/16 wrench, look it just goes in like that..

This is the tail boom I heard, it connects here ... yes, it is clearly marked, top and right
- Pass me a 1/8th .. hold there..

Next thing we know, the cabana was fully assembled, including the tail and rudder.

Gerardo at the controls, Alex waits for his turn!

Assembling the fuselage portion of the kit was quite easy, it probably took us 45 minutes. all parts fitted smoothly, the holes cleanly matched and the general workmanship of excellent quality.

All in all we got a great first impression of the kit.