REFLECTOR: Flight testing going well...18hrs in, new video

[Richard J. Gentil]

Hi Geoff,

I would be interested in your cylinder cooling solution since I could use more balanced CHTs. 

Also is your engine new? If it is I would not recommend 10,000 feet on a normally aspirated engine until you get to 50 hours and the engine is broken in. You want to keep at least 75% power on break-in. 

Richard 

Sent from my iPhone 5

On Sep 27, 2012, at 7:31 AM, Geoff Gerhardt <geoff.gerhardt at gmail.com> wrote:

> Guys,
> 
> Flight testing is going well, I've got about 18hrs in.  I'm still not able to just go out and fly - always little fixes and tweaks (that's the fun part for me, tho).  I have learned, tho, not to immediately try to correct an issue, but learn more about it first.  I've been chasing a hot cylinder and have been trying to cool it with better airflow.  After reviewing data logs and confirming it on my last flight, I now realize that its likely a combustion problem.  The EGT for that cylinder is always high.  Because of my aggressive airflow modifications, even in spite of that high EGT, the CHT is ok now.  I'm going to pull out the injector nozzle this weekend and give it a good cleaning.  If that doesn't work, I may try to ream it out a little.  I tried to put an oil collection reservoir as I was tired of wiping oil off the cowling, but it introduced too much back pressure, and all of a sudden I had a bunch of oil leaks to deal with (a rather nasty surprise of seeing oil all over the inside/outside of the cowling after a 2.5hr flight).  Got all those cleaned up and removed the oil recovery system.  I think I'll try to vent the breather into the exhaust.
> 
> Other than those issues, its been going pretty well.  I've been playing with fuel settings, altitude and efficiency.  I typically head up to 8-10,000' and run LOP.  At 10k' I am usually ~150ktas, and 8gal/hr.  I love the high-speed descent into the airport.  I report 10mi out to the tower and I'm in the pattern in no time - I think they're getting used to me zipping in as opposed to the C172's and warriors they're used to.
> 
> Here's a recent video I took taking off with a belly-mounted camera looking back.  Its kinda neat in that it looks like I'm zooming the lens as I gain altitude.  Yes, I know, it takes me a long time to get off the ground.  I actually have another prop coming that might help.  A Cozy owner had a left-turning Catto that he no longer uses.  Its a 64x76, mine's a 66x74.  I suspect it'll get me off the ground much quicker.  He didn't want much for it, so it'll give me a backup - I'll send mine back to Catto at some point to get it repitched or just keep it for a long-range cruise prop as it is.
> 
> Geoff
> (I uploaded it in high-res so make sure you switch to 1080p)
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhNZBc-inbw
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