Brief Description: Taxi Test & Oil Dipstick Extension
Plans: 1. Taxi the air vehicle for the first time. Status: Complete. I successfully taxied around the local complex of hangers (about 1/8 mile). It was uneventful. The main lesson is that visibility directly in front is zero. In my tight quarters with people around it was a little concerning. Temperatures stayed in the safe range during this low RPM taxi at a slow walking speed. Video of the taxi test in available on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOQM5pOU77o.
2. Extend the oil dipstick through the top cover of the engine compartment and add a coolant level inspection window. Status: I would like to be able to check fluid levels without having to remove the engine compartment covers. For the coolant I slotted the side cover and glued some clear plastic over the hole. I can now peek through the window to check the level. For the oil I decided to extend the dipstick handle up an out the top cover. This entailed cutting a hole in the louvers and extending the stick's guide tube about 5 inches. To do that I simply took a larger diameter tube and clamped it over the original tube.
