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Well this evening I finally had a bit of time to go back to the airport and
finish tuning the new EC2 chip with the cold start feature (still works
great).
After tuning for awhile I taxied around the ramp a bit and did a few minor
adjustments, then got clearance for a high speed taxi on the runway. I did 2
high speed runs and the engine was tuned perfect (well maybe not as perfect
as the autotune will do:-). As I neared the end of the runway, I
decided that I would backtrack and ask for take off clearance to circle the
airport while I checked the tuning in-flight. As I began to brake from that
second run, there was a loud bang and I lost right brakes. Using full right
rudder and light left brake I was able to keep it straight, but went 30' off the
end of the runway before stopping (not a problem). Taxiing back with one brake
was a bit challenging. I taxied past the charred remains of my wheel pant, then
had to make a 270 degree left turn in order to turn right onto the taxiway. The
fire truck has to do the runway sweeps after something like this so he returned
the remains to me. It was clear that the wheel had been engulfed in flame, but
it all must have gone out with the departure of the wheel
pant.
I
removed my wheel pants for the initial taxi testing, but installed them for
first flight and other than for inspections, they've been on since. I never
really thought I was doing enough taxiing to cause a problem, but as this
demonstrates, it doesn't take much. It shouldn't take much to fix the brake, but
I'll need to closely inspect the tire and repack the wheel bearings with grease,
then I'll be able to fly without wheel pants for awhile. I'll need to completely
redo the right wheel pant.
Unfortunately, next Sunday I head back to tech school (BCIT) for 2 months. I'd
hoped to bring the plane down there with me, but it's unlikely
now.
Todd Bartrim
RV9Endurance
13B Turbo Rotary
C-FSTB
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