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Wednesday 17 Sept 2009
1.3 air time
1.5 flt time

Inter-flight activities:

  1. Checked internal oil leakage in the prop control circuit in accordance with Lycoming Service Instruction 1462A. Leakage was within the acceptable range.
  2. Adjusted prop governor control cable at prop governor to move the cable sheaf closer to the governor control air. This increased the clearance between the prop control lever and the forward stop in the cockpit.
  3. Added additional "fuzzy" Velcro strips under the aft canopy skirt to stop it from buzzing against the fuselage skin at high speed.
  4. Replaced broken exhaust system hangar clamps. Changed flexible hangar links to springs.
  5. Reinstalled rubber sealing strip between left upper wing intersection fairing and fuselage.

Events:

  1. Cruise performance flight testing at 7500 ft. Covered 65 KIAS to 160 KIAS. The air was smooth, but there appeared to be occasional up and down drafts, which added noise to the data.
  2. Checked max rpm with prop control full forward. It is 2650 during the first take-off, and slowly decreases to 2600 to 2610 as the engine warms up. This 40 - 50 rpm drop appears to be normal, based on discussions with a local Pitts Special pilot who has three aircraft with MT aerobatic props. It seems that the prop governor is working correctly.
  3. Check for canopy buzz at VNE. No buzz!!

Data Analysis:

  1. Initial data analysis confirms results from earlier flights that showed cruise speed is slower than it was with the Hartzell prop. Initial very rough estimate is 7 to 10 kt slower at the same power. Need to repeat these tests with better air quality.

New Snags:

  1. Narco 122D stopped working during the flight. It seems to no longer be supplied with power.

Existing Snags:

  1. SD-8 Alternator does not seem to be working. Will defer troubleshooting until engine break-in is completed, as it would be useful to check for AC output from alternator during an engine ground run.
  2. Small amount of right rudder pedal force needed in cruise. Need to add a wedge on the left side of the rudder trailing edge.
  3. Pitch trim speed of movement is slow during a touch and go.
  4. Data from EIS 4000 engine monitor is no longer being recorded.