Monthly Archives: April 2023

First Engine Start!

This entry was posted in Final Testing on by

Today was the big day! First engine start! The plan was three runs. First run at idle for a couple minutes. Shut down and inspect. The second run would be a 5 min run testing a few more items to include the magnetos. The third run would be for 15 min at 1500 RPM with a full static power test at the end.

I had lots of friends and helpers on hand for the test. Big shout outs to Mike Bullock (RV-7 rvplane.com) and Mike Rollison (RV-6) for all their help and advice. I was super nervous and highly excited.

We had a little trouble with getting it to fire up on the first start. We definitely had too much fuel in the equation. This plane doesn’t seem to like the procedure that was recommended… so we just did a quick prime and then fired it up. Now that the procedure is dialed in – she starts like a dream.

Tests 1 and 2 went great. But on test 3 we couldn’t get the prop to cycle, so we abandoned the rest of the test. Theories were either the governor was installed incorrectly or there was still a plug behind the prop. Both would be painful.

We also found a small leak by the magneto. The builder apparently did not include a gasket! Doh! A small oil leak by a plug. Rubbing of the scat tube on the oil dipstick. Otherwise it was a great first start and I’m thrilled with the success!

 

Misc wrap up work

This entry was posted in Cowling Electrical on by

Getting ready for the first engine start… but most of the things on my checklist for the engine start are complete. Many of the remaining items on my list need to wait until after the first start. So I worked on a number of small projects – some needed in the near future. Others not needed until whenever I decide I want them done.

Projects accomplished tonight. Some temporary seat covers made from pillow cases. Instrument panel white led lights hooked up. Foil added to the bottom cowl. Wheel pant fiberglass work. The instrument panel white LED lights are bright and will need adjustments. First, I need to bring them aft about one inch. This will provide much better visibility and reduce shadows on the panel. Second, I need to shorten the LED strip. Its a bit too long at the moment, which means my eyes can catch direct light at both ends of the strips. Shortening the lights will have the secondary effect of reducing the amount of light output. Currently its a bit too much even a low levels.  Lastly, I’ll need to improve the wire routing – its a bit ugly at the moment, but its functional and works as a proof of concept. Plenty of time between now and final paint!

Pre-first start inspections and corrections

This entry was posted in Final Testing on by

I had my buddies Mike Bullock (RV-7, rvplane.com, EAA Tech Counselor), Mike Rollison (RV-6) and Steve Koziol (RV-9) take a close look at my plane for any issues prior to first start. Here is what they found. Slightly loose starter solenoid wire. No protection of oil cooler scat. Un-torqued engine hoist bolt. Oil cooler scat rubbing oil dipstick tube. Missing safety wire on a plug above oil vernatherm. Firewall areas that needed sealing. After they left, i set about correcting all the squawks they found. AND I got to fly a carbon cub!

Here is the original hole for the battery cable as provided by Van’s. I used the stock Van’s cap to cover the hole along with some fire sealant. I also used fire seal along all of the firewall edges where there were gaps.

Here is the plug that was not safety wired.

Several bolts associated with these adel clamps and engine hoist had not been re-torqued. I quickly corrected the oversight.

I’m not happy with the placement of the exhaust pipes in relation to the sniffle tube. I’m going to find a way to route its output out of the cowl.

Faces of joy!

I also wanted to visually verify the timing that was set by the EI controller.