Well, not exactly. After 5 years and 500 hours of direct-drive, ducted-fan rotary flying, I did a short first-flight around the pattern today with a new configuration: RD1B and a prop.

Looks like I was unsubscribed from Flyrotary, had to go on the archive site to get caught up on the emails.

Congratulations to Paul Conner on a successful first flight, welcome to the club!

I am used to getting pushed back in my seat when I apply full throttle for takeoff. The open prop seems very sluggish while taxiing, and at the start of takeoff roll. I can feel the blades "unstall" after building up some speed. This is something I never experienced with the ducted fan. I saw 5400 RPM on climbout, higher than before (5100). 5400 was max. level flight RPM with the ducted fan, so I expect it will go up to 6000 with the PSRU. I shed 36 lbs. in the propulsion system doing the changeover, and had to remove the weather radar indicator from the panel and the wx antenna from the nose (additional 16 lbs. combined) to get the cg back (radar needs repair anyway, it's just been balast for a long time). Climb rate is definitely better (higher revving engine, less weight). I'm hoping to get at least 180 mph in cruise, 155 was about the best I could do with the ducted fan.

Perry