Saturday, December 5, 2009
Engine Start
On December 4 I started the engine for the first time. This felt like a milestone. As usual, it was quite a process.I don't know what's up with the pink in the video. Even my camera dislikes the green primer I guess. Here is a description of the big day.
First, we double checked all the fittings in the engine compartment for leaks. "Put a wrench on everything". Then, we removed the upper spark plugs and lower spark plug leads and turned the engine on the starter for about 30 seconds to pre-oil the engine. After that, we put the spark plugs back in and ran the fuel boost pump with the magnetos switched off to check for fuel leaks. Sure enough, I had missed one fitting. It was tightened, tested again and no leaks.
Next, outside for the actual engine start. We tied it down in the same spot where we did the engine start on my first Velocity almost exactly 10 years ago. Spotters and fire extinguishers were stationed at each corner. The engine caught immediately and ran smoothly.
As always, there were a few issues to sort out. There was no reading on one EGT on the display, and the prop kept cycling to full pitch. After some testing, we found out that one of the EGT probes was bad out of the box. GRT kindly agreed to mail out a replacement probe. As for the prop, it turned out that there was an issue with the governor. The governor and engine came from an Extra 300 aerobatic ship. It turns out that governors on air show performers planes are set opposite, so that a release of hydraulic pressure returns the prop to full pitch.Who knew?
The prop governor was sent to a service facility for a new valve assembly to make it operate in standard fashion.
All in all, it was a successful day with all of the issues sorted out fairly quickly. I finally know what my plane sounds like and can start taxi testing when I get the governor back in a week or so.
In the meantime, I've removed the stick and sent it out for laser engraving and labeling. The control rigging is almost complete and I'm working on fine tuning the retract system. The list gets shorter, but there does always seem to be a few more things to do. More pictures to come.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
WOOOOHOOOOOOOOO Way to Go Mark!!!!!
Mark I am so excited for you and your family. It is a beautiful job and you have done a great job with your build site. I have enjoyed watching your postings.
Look forward to meeting you and seeing the plane in person one day.
Dan Charles
New Orleans
N121hs
Congratulations Mark - we don't know each other but I've been following your build since it was put online. From one pilot to another: engine running, plane built, avionics sorted...you've got yourself a REAL bird!
BTW - greetings from Australia :)
I guess we were going to fast in the Infiniti for you to tell me that you started the engine. To Cool. For the looks of it, the landing gears work also. That was cool too!! Nice color Green. It's a keeper..I know its primer!
Post a Comment