The first flight wasn't INTENDED to be a first flight at all. It was
just another in a long series of high-speed taxi tests, when a big
gust of wind picked it up, and Allan found himself 20 feet above the
runway. He admits that he shouldn't have been taxiing on such a gusty
day -- and certainly should've been fully prepared to go flying in any
case -- but it wasn't an intentional first flight. Thank goodness
(and the sturdy construction) that he didn't hurt himself.

The gust of wind should not have been an issue. How many planes take off in
gusty conditions? Answer is simple ....... pretty much all of them, and they
certainly don't exhibit stability deficiencies. The reality is that he was
attempting to rotate far above "flying speed". Any perturbation, whether it be
a bump in the runway or gust of wind, brought the nose up and he was on a wild,
and apparently unstable ride. And you are right, thank goodness he didn't
seriously hurt himself.