REFLECTOR: Strake rebuild update

[Andy Millin]

Way to go Chris!!!!

 

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Christopher Barber
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 1:28 AM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: REFLECTOR: Strake rebuild update

 

As y'all likely remember I had to redo my strakes following finding my
Jeffco fuel tank sealant had failed a few months ago. A few days ago I
applied some micro on my hopefully now repaired strakes. I still have to
smooth and pretty up the micro, but to get away from the fiberglass work for
a bit I decided to add fuel to my new strake tanks and calibrate my newly
installed Atkinson fuel gages. 

I had about 25 gallons that I added one gallon at a time, 1/2 gallon to each
side.  So I added fuel to each side in approximately equal amounts to allow
everything to equalize better. I filled the sump tank first and it took just
under five gallons (fixed gear SE). Nothing seemed to leak confirming my air
pressure test with balloons a while back.

Ok, here is the good part. On a wild hair I turned power on to the plane to
see if the rotary engine would turn over after sitting dormant for the last
few months with only an occasional hand rotation of the prop. Not only did
it turn over, it started. Wahoo. I shut it down right away as I was not in a
position to play.....uh, ummm, work on it. But I was tickled it started
almost immediately. After having to redo my strakes, this was a nice little
experience for me.

I am off work tomorrow and I hope to get out to the hangar to clean it up
after a lot of fiberglass work. Maybe I will "play" with the engine a bit
too. <g> 

All the best,

Chris

Houston

 

 

Cross posted on CanardZone.com & Reflector

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