In aviation, if there is any doubt, there is no doubt !
26 December 2025, 7th flight. I am cruising at 5,000 feet toward Lake Geneva to get back into the swing of things after a few weeks’ vacation when suddenly the oil temperature rises rapidly. 180 degree turn to the left, instinctively, to point the nose toward the nearest airfield. I try to figure out what’s happening, scrutinizing the other parameters, real problem, faulty reading… The temperature rises into the yellow, I reduce power and it stabilizes. What are my options, attempt a return to Sion, land at Bex where the weather isn’t great and the condition of the grass runway at this time of the year probably not at its best. The temperature hits the red, the decision is made. Descending spiral, a brief radio call, and here I am, final runway 33. First landing out of home base ! I remove the cowlings and recheck the oil level, the condition of the temperature probe and its wiring. Nothing obvious. A return flight to Sion seems feasible, it will go without a hitch. A minor wiring modification to prevent interference solves this problem.
April 2026, the 25 hours of flight testing have been completed, we receive our final permit to fly ! The opportunity to paint the plane arises, naturally, just a few days later. Our original slot was originally scheduled, much to our despair, in March 2027 ! First international flight for YB : Lézignan, south of France. Once there, Vasita and I dismantle everything necessary, control surfaces, trim tabs, cowlings, doors, fairings, antennas, access panels… It feels once again like another step backward, but the last one.
A month later, we rediscover the aircraft not without some apprehension : Eiger Grey and Diamond Black, will this final choice be the right one ? Emotional moment, the result simply exceeds our highest expectations ! It will now take several days of meticulous work to reassemble everything in the stifling heat. But what a joy to watch the creation take shape as the work progress… Eddy Pelfini certainly achieved the perfect blend of elegance and sportiness with this unique design, transposed to the aircraft with passion and precision by the Aerostyll Team. Once again in this project we have lived an enriching human experience, beyond a simple aircraft paint job.
Flights follow one another with a constant sense of wonder and that hard to describe feeling of freedom. Early July, I am heading to Brienne-le-Château for the European gathering of amateur builders where a hundred planes are displayed. On the program : reunion with friends, new encounters, discussions and a first trophy. The day goes by, the sun is setting, the tent raised next to the plane, unforgettable experience !
Those first 50 flight hours have been nothing but satisfaction. A deep satisfaction, certainly proportional to the time dedicated and the energy deployed to turn this dream into reality.
Now, the sky is ours…
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