My engine has been torn down, reinspected, a new prop has been installed and I am back flying after my hard landing. I still have a slow oil leak. We have had the cowling off twice now and haven't yet found the leak. Maybe the third time will be a charm.

I took my first cross country, since the plane has been repaired, on Friday and came back on Saturday. I went through a pretty large front both ways. The controllers were very helpful when I told them that I didn't have weather avoidance equipment and keep me well away from any significant weather.

Going from Detroit to Chattanooga at 10K I had a 45 kt head wind the whole way. This took the time in route up to 4 hours and the highest head wind that I have ever flown in. I was solid IMC for at least 2 of the 4 hours. This plane flies well in IMC.

On the trip back the wind had dropped to zero. Oh well, at least it was not negative. I climbed out of Chattanooga to 15K. I feel that 15K is the absolutely best altitude for my aircraft. I varied the RPM from 2350 to 2450 and the MP from 17.1 inches(full throttle) to 17.0 inches. I was trying the slightly back throttle position because of a post on this list last week. The post stated that we would get slightly better air flow through the carb. I can't refind the post, so... if anyone can, let me know where it is. In all configurations, the planes speed did not vary by more than 3 kts. It felt best at: 2450 RPM, 16.9 inches MP, 7.0 gph and 50% power. At 50% power my true airspeed was 185 kts and 150 kts indicated.

I am STILL working on my landings.
--
Lorn H. 'Feathers' Olsen, MAA, DynaComm, Corp.
248-478-4301, mailto:lorn@dynacomm.ws
LNC2, O-320-D1F, N31161, Y47, SE Michigan