Well, the 13b powered SQ2000 canard took flight
again today, after somewhere around a month of modifications, ground running,
aborted takeoffs, etc. The engine ran fine at WOT. I have to do a
little more tuning around the 1/2 throttle setting, however. (a little rich).
I only took it around the pattern once and landed. Takeoff roll was
normal, and once I reached 500 feet of altitude, I no longer had to hold my
breath and cross my fingers. Once I had 500 feet, I knew I
can return to the runway (instead of the parking lot like last
time). Took it up to 1000 feet (traffic pattern altitude) and water temp
was stabilized at 195. It did, however climb to 200 during the climb. Not
very happy with that. It would appear that the new cowling ram air scoop is
adding too much pressure to the low pressure area of the cowling, and probably
inhibiting the air that normally comes in thru the NACA duct and thru the
radiator/oil cooler. I may have to seal that one up and make a new scoop
with a hose going to the plenum directly, and not bring in ram air under
pressure into the cowling. Oh, the trials and tribulations of
experimentals. Will report more later, have to go to Gulfport,
Mississippi to fix a truck. Paul Conner