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Zenith CruZer & Sonex Logs
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Date: 11-17-2012
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Number of Hours: 0.00
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Manual Reference: n/a
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Brief Description: Flight Test Mid-Point
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Well, I just thought I'd log-in to provide some update for those of you who've been bugging me to make some comments on the flight testing.
To recap, today's mid-November 2012; first flight was June 25th. I have amassed 23 hours of flight test. So, to just basically ramble, here ya go:
Following first flight, we went to Kansas for the 4th of July and to incinerate a small rural town with fireworks. A bit of a downer this year due to drought conditions, but still a blast, literally and figuratively. Following that trip, I think I flew a little bit more, then it was prep and departure for Oshkosh. We ended up driving this year since we couldn't get a standby seat, so that took extra time, but was a great treat as well.
Summer was hot here, and I had big issues with the infamous engine "burps." I tried adjusting the carb all over the place, including swapping-out mixture needles. Was bad enough that I was concerned about returning to the airport. Along with the burping was the issue of summertime thermals here in TX. That, and since barely any testing had been done, I was sensitive to the winds; don't want crosswinds when I'm making my 3rd solo tailwheel landing.
So, I finally solved the burping issues by re-making the fuel line, and routing it differently. I added pipe insulation on top of the firesleeve, and wrapped all that with aluminum tape.
Biggest improvement in overall performance (and reduced CHTs) was to adjust the secondary ignition timing. I was a bit advanced; retarding it a few degrees lowered CHTs 40 degrees and gave me additional 200 RPM.
Had another few trips to KS in there, as well as a trip to Virginia to see an Uncle I hadn't seen in 20 years. Also went to the American Sonex Assn fly-in and the Great Southern Sonex Group fly-in. Great to connect with other builders and compare notes.
Have tested stability (neutral), stall speeds and slow flight. Working Vx/Vy, but can't finish that up until my gross weight testing.
Have been making minor tweaks to the MGL Enigma also.
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