----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 11:40
AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: DAR visit?
Hi, Rusty....yep....airworthiness
certificate in hand.
Congrats!
Not looking like the greatest choice of wind at your
airport today. I just checked the wx for the area, and find a 15kt
gusting to 22kt, which is almost a direct crosswind from the left.
Should ease up this afternoon, and be much better tomorrow. With
that kind of left crosswind, coupled with my ample left torque, I'd never be
able to take off :-)
Cheers,
Rusty (more bite than
bark)
You're correct, Rusty....the winds were a direct
crosswind 20 knots, gusting higher (windsock standing straight out). At
approximately 3:30 P.M. my SQ2000 slipped the surly bounds of
Earth....made a couple circuits around the airport and had an uneventful
(yawn) landing. The precarious part was the take-off and climbout.
I am not getting enough power. From 1/4 to 1/2 throttle, engine
accelerates smoothly and plenty of power. As soon as I try to go above 1/2
throttle, the engine begins to bog down. Advancing the throttle more only made
it bog down even more. On takeoff roll, I was only able to get 4400
rpm's at approximately 1/2 throttle. Acceleration felt OK, and the nosewheel
lifted at around 70 knots. Mains lifted off shortly afterward, but it just
didn't want to climb. (Flew fine in ground effect, of course).
Unfortunately, I had reached the point of no return (short runway) and past
the accelerate/stop point, so I was committed. Found a "V" in the
treeline and headed for that. Made it...(whew)....continued slow climb
to 2000 feet, made a couple of circuits around the airport and had a smooth
landing (considering the strong, gusty crosswinds). Down and stopped by
mid field.
I had a few "bugs" to work
out, like tightening the tension on the nosewheel, so after 3 trips to the
runway and back to the hangar, by the time I got to the runway the
fourth time, water temperatures were up to 190 degrees. Fortunately, on
climbout they started dropping, and by the time I was downwind, they were
stable at 170. I am pleased that the temperature decreased in the climb.
I have to work on the power
problem ASAP. I'm thinking it is mixture related. I had programed the
MicroTech ECU to be 10 percent leaner (for all throttle settings), and perhaps
that was a mistake. If I remember correctly, you need sufficient air and
sufficient fuel to make power. Because the butterfly in the throttlebody
continues opening past 1/2 throttle, I'm reaonably certain that I am getting
more air past 1/2 throttle. I am assuming that I am not getting more fuel
coming in past that 1/2 throttle position, causing the engine to bog down past
1/2 throttle. Best RPM I could obtain was 4400 rpm (in cruise with the
prop unloaded), and with a 2.19:1 gear reduction,that puts my max rpm on the
prop at only 2000. Barely enough to fly, let alone climb out. Will continue
problem solving and pass on results. On the positive side, first flight
was successful, aircraft flew well, and no-one got hurt. I have to count
that as a success. Take care. Paul Conner, Mobile,
AL