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Message-ID: <20041212132511.36071.qmail@web51105.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 05:25:11 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Brooks <prvt_pilot@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Paul's first flight
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-563631@logan.com>
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Paul,
Congratulations on the first flight.  Sounds like it
was pretty uneventful other thean the power issue.

I had a similar issue in the beginning, but it was
only a tuning issue, so maybe that is all yours is as
well.

If you have an A/F ratio gauge, it would help identify
the problem, but as a guess, I'd say probably too lean

Steve brooks

 
>   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