11/1/2007

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I took N188LC up for the third time this week today. On the second flight I orbited the airport at 65% power. On the one today I ventured about 25 miles to the west and kept it at 75% power. (I am expressing power as % power because the new firmware update in my Dynon EMS shows it this way - pretty cool).

These are the squawks so far:

• Loose valve cover screws (noticed on first and second flights)

  • I tightened them after the first flight. I replaced all lock washers after second flight.

• Vibration from the engine and/or prop around 2550 RPM (noticed on third flight)

  • This might have been the exhaust pipes vibrating against the bottom cowl. I raised both of them to be centered between the fuselage bottom and the cowl.

• Slight pull to the right. Not noticeable at 120kts. Almost 1/2 trim to compensate at 165kts.

  • As per Vans I will wait a couple more flights before doing anything about this.

• Slight oil leak around oil temperature probe (noticed after first flight)

  • I cleaned it and put in a new crush washer.

• Wheel pant chipped off near rear of right wheel (noticed after first flight)

  • I dressed it with a Dremmel sanding drum. A small dime sized chip remains.

• Master switch nut came loose (noticed after second flight)

  • I tightened it.

• Landing gear nut loose. This is one of the NAS nuts that is almost impossible to get to in the landing gear box. (noticed after third flight)

  • I ordered new nuts and washers from Vans. These are really mutant. I remember having a hard time identifying them (especially the washer) and may have made a mistake.

The only purpose of the first two flights was to make it back safely. The third flight had the additional purpose of breaking in the engine.

8LC hasn't used a drop of oil in all three flights. The engine was test run by Penn-Yan but it doesn't seem likely that it was enough to break it in. When we sent the crankshaft out for inspection we re-honed the cylinders. In flight all cylinders were between 330-350 degrees at 75% power. At climb-out they were around 380 degrees. I have never broken in a new engine so I am not sure how to interpret all of this. For now I will assume it is not broken in.

I think the fourth flight will also be 75% power at full power but for one hour. I need to go out of town for a few days (via airliner - bummer) so this will have to wait until late next week.