tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13295404824953322092024-03-27T01:35:36.251-05:00Cozy MK IV Serial #1537 N724CZThis is my supplemental builders blog for a Cozy Mark IV which is a 4-seat, single engine, homebuilt light aircraft designed by Nat Puffer, with parts and plans supplied by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. The aircraft is built from plans using basic raw materials. It is not a kit aircraft, though many small parts are available prefabricated. The Cozy is similar in design and construction to the 2-seat Rutan Long-EZ, from which it is derived, with approval from Burt Rutan. Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.comBlogger323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-51279120897384536752024-03-26T00:51:00.000-05:002024-03-26T00:51:47.479-05:00Service Bulletin References for N724CZ<p> </p><p>Service Bulletins, Service Advisories, Plans Corrections, Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIB)</p><p>Created 3/26/2024 Expect some of these links to change or disappear. The FAA links in particular.</p><p>Andair (fuel selector) <a href="https://www.andair.co.uk/about/service-alerts/" target="_blank">https://www.andair.co.uk/about/service-alerts/</a></p><p>ACL ELT <a href="https://www.ackavionics.com/technical-library/" target="_blank">https://www.ackavionics.com/technical-library/</a></p><p>Avidyne <a href="https://www.avidyne.com/manual-guides/" target="_blank">https://www.avidyne.com/manual-guides/</a></p><p>Dynon <a href="https://dynonavionics.com/support-bulletins.php">https://dynonavionics.com/support-bulletins.php</a></p><p>Matco (wheels & brakes) <a href="https://matcoals.com/technical-support/technical-manuals-and-service-bulletins/" target="_blank">https://matcoals.com/technical-support/technical-manuals-and-service-bulletins/</a></p><p>SDS EI/EFI <a href="http://www.sdsefi.com/sb.htm">http://www.sdsefi.com/sb.htm</a></p><p>Titan (PMA & Experimental Service Bulletins) <a href="https://continental.aero/pma-service-bulletins/" target="_blank">https://continental.aero/pma-service-bulletins/</a></p><p>Vertical Power (VP-X) <a href="https://verticalpower.com/index.php" target="_blank">https://verticalpower.com/index.php</a> </p><p><br /></p><p>Miscellaneous Cozy related Bulletins and advisories at:</p><p><a href="http://www.cozybuilders.org/">http://www.cozybuilders.org/</a></p><p><a href="http://www.cozybuilders.org/Canard_Pusher/" target="_blank">http://www.cozybuilders.org/Canard_Pusher/</a><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.cozybuilders.org/newsletters/" target="_blank">http://www.cozybuilders.org/newsletters/</a> (plans corrections)<br /></p><p>Various items have been discussed in this group (access may be restricted): <a href="https://groups.google.com/g/cozy_builders" target="_blank">https://groups.google.com/g/cozy_builders</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Misc:</p><p>Breaker Switches SAIB (posting a non-FAA link because they move documents and break links). <a href="https://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=6a6f4b28-82cc-4fd4-8337-c240470fd3d0" target="_blank">https://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=6a6f4b28-82cc-4fd4-8337-c240470fd3d0</a></p><p>SAIB - Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins <a href="https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/saib" target="_blank">https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/saib</a></p><p>ADs - FAA DRS (search for Airworthy Directives) <a href="https://drs.faa.gov/browse/SAIB/doctypeDetails" target="_blank">https://drs.faa.gov/browse/SAIB/doctypeDetails</a></p><p>ADs (Biweekly (select Small Aircraft) <a href="https://drs.faa.gov/reports/ad-biweekly" target="_blank">https://drs.faa.gov/reports/ad-biweekly</a></p><p>NTSB <a href="http://ntsb.gov" target="_blank">ntsb.gov</a></p><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-21622683318063231222024-03-04T15:18:00.003-06:002024-03-08T09:15:30.785-06:00Dynon SV-COM-425 RMA<p>My last flight, got a good radio check at the run up area but after taking off, got a reply that my transmit audio had become "weak and scratchy". I pulled the module, opened it up but didn't see any physical damage. The pins/sockets of the 25 pin connector looked okay. The nut holding the antenna connector to the case wasn't very tight, but the threads were plastic so apparently the bulkhead connector's case wasn't a functional ground.</p><p>I'd opened a case with Dynon and got an RMA for the radio. I'm not certain which model I'll get back but will probably have to repin the 25 pin connector. Shipped priority express, two day. </p><p>Dynon also announced a software update. Unless told otherwise, I'll wait until the replacement radio is ready to install before upgrading the software.</p><p><br /></p><p>Update - Dynon appears to be sending a SV-COM-760 and adapter cable.</p><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-75854993193236023352024-02-17T10:05:00.000-06:002024-02-17T10:05:36.687-06:00More rides<p> Doug Steen and Bill James are the newest names on the list of pilot/ATPs that have flown N724CZ. </p><p>Doug contacted me and offered to trade rides. A neighbor of his needed a ride to retrieve his Bonanza so on a frosty Tuesday morning 2/13/2024 I flew from T67 to 50F (~9 minute flight).</p><p>Doug gave us (Bill came along too) a ride in his PA46 JetProp to Georgetown and back to Bourland 50F going up to FL19. Doug's wife Valerie and son looked over the Cozy. They showed me their Whitman Tailwind. An RV in their shop was getting a new Dynon panel. Doug & Valerie own and operate a 145 repair station for avionics, <a href="http://www.semiplane.com">www.semiplane.com</a>. A podcast interview with Doug: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/20oomjCjaZn64kLKr3oqsp?si=jrCzrItfSuiR_j_yEdzUrA" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/episode/20oomjCjaZn64kLKr3oqsp?si=jrCzrItfSuiR_j_yEdzUrA</a></p><p>Doug was impressed with stability at low speed. We had the IAS under 60 KIAS and could bank left or right. VSI was showing about 600 FPM decent. </p><p>After we got back to 50F we chatted and went to lunch. When we got back to 50F, Bill was eager to go for a ride. He asked me about the feeling of the realization that "you built this and are flying it". I think every time I preflight and push it out of the hangar I'm still getting butterflies. When we got back to Bourland, we chatted for awhile. The sun getting lower in the West was my queue to head home. </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-51961971723859805992024-02-08T20:41:00.008-06:002024-02-09T11:48:53.589-06:00Trip to KLAW Lawton<p><span><span data-offset-key="2pevv-0-0" face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="animation-name: none; background-color: black; color: white; transition-property: none;">Tallying
up hours for insurance renewal and FAA survey, I was looking at my own
data and was surprised that my logs showed giving 20 different people
rides during the last 12 months. The youngest was 9, the oldest was
+75. 15 are pilots, at least five are ATP's (two retired). Three +500
mile trips and one short flight were with 3 on board.<br />
</span></span></p><p><span><span data-offset-key="2pevv-0-0" face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="animation-name: none; background-color: black; color: white; transition-property: none;">Today
was a good day to not give a ride since there was a turbulence SIGMET
up higher and wind (per KLAW Lawton OK tower) was 250@18G27 across RWY
17 (150' wide). The Sheppard MOA above me had a few targets on ADS-B,
one coming right at me but 1500 feet higher. The METAR wasn't showing
as much wind as the tower reported. Despite carrying 85 knots on
final, the wind gusts picked up the right wing a couple of times and
there were a few moments of excitement after touching down. <br />
</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span data-offset-key="2pevv-0-0" face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span data-text="true" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;">Karl </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span data-offset-key="2pevv-1-0" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;">Riley</span></span><span data-offset-key="2pevv-2-0" face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span data-text="true" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;">
& his wife met me at the FBO where he was bestowed Eureka canard
core foam. Karl insisted on paying for some fuel. I had the lineman
put the fuel in the right (upwind) tank. We chatted a bit, watching the
wind socks sticking straight out and the linemen were taking photos of
the Cozy. Major construction on a new terminal was going on next door.<br />
</span></span></span></p><p><span><span data-offset-key="2pevv-2-0" face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="animation-name: none; background-color: black; color: white; transition-property: none;">I
taxied for take off and asked the tower to repeat the wind again.
Gusting 28 at almost 90 degrees. The guy in the Tower seemed to be
using his Dad voice. Angling into the wind on the 150' wide runway, the
rudders were starting to do their job at about 40 knots at about the
time I was intersecting the center line. On departure, the AP wasn't
wanting to track very well until the wind direction was more stable at
5500'. The Tower reminded me to use caution exiting Class D and
transiting under the MOA ahead.</span></span></p><p><span><span data-offset-key="2pevv-2-0" face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="animation-name: none; background-color: black; color: white; transition-property: none;">Radio
chatter from a few students when approaching T67 had students making
pattern calls for RWY 14. There was a batch of helos flying patterns at
4T2 (Copeland), so I followed Hwy 287 at 1500' to stay clear of them,
KAFW Alliance and KFTW Meacham traffic. On upwind for 14, the windsocks
were showing a comparatively meager crosswind. A student and
instructor along the taxiway had their cameras out as I touched down.
Glad I didn't repeat the previous landing and become Internet famous. </span></span></p><p>
</p><p><span><span data-offset-key="2pevv-2-0" face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="animation-name: none; background-color: black; color: white; transition-property: none;">One
of the FAA survey questions had tickled my memory about a puzzling stat
I recalled from my earlier student pilot/CAP days. Pilots that file
flight plans have a lower accident rate. Today I'd easily filed and
activated flight plans for two "short for a Cozy" flights using the EFB
on my phone. Hey...if it helps...why not? There's still a lot of
nothing for miles in parts of OK and TX. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="2pevv-2-0" face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="animation-name: none; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span data-text="true" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="2pevv-2-0" face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="animation-name: none; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span data-text="true" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><br /></span></span></span></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-2845546792463346802024-02-03T09:45:00.005-06:002024-03-23T21:44:40.656-05:00Headset jack relocation<p> Initially, I installed the headset jacks at the suggested location in the copilot's headrest.</p>
<br />
Several issues with this location is that the canopy's pneumatic cylinder is very
close to the headset plugs. Mine was so close to the top set of jacks
that the canopy had to be opened to unplug one of the chords. Another
issue is that the ANR and other headsets have dongles about a foot from
the plugs and hang down behind you or could rest on the back rest but
still inconvenient to rich in flight with two fair sized adults in the
front seat.<br />
<br />
I like the ability for the pilot to easily access any of the four
headsets jacks while in flight after having some com issues in flight
in a rental aircraft. If you leave a passenger headset plugged in, you
could retrieve the headset by grabbing the chord and pulling it from
the back seat to the front.<br />
<br />
After nearly two hundred hours in the Cozy now, I've decided to move the
headset jacks closer to very easy to reach locations for each
occupant. The front jacks will be moved just outboard the control
sticks on each side. The rear passengers will be able to reach theirs
while belted in. The headset dongles will be easy and more convenient to reach. <br />
<br />
The PSEngineering audio panel provides an easy way to isolate passenger
audio if necessary. Carrying a spare headset in the strake mitigates
needing to retrieve a headset from the back seat.<br />
<br />
The old headset jack panel may serve a new purpose for O2 canula connections to eliminate some of the tube chaos.<div><br /></div><div>Somewhat related is that occasionally I get reports my transmitted audio is low and scratchy. I checked with a field strength meter and seems both radios are putting out plenty of power. The Dynon mic sensitivity probably needs tweaked and I need to get better at positioning the mic closer to my mouth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Update - the SV-COM-425 was replaced with an SV-COM-760.</div><div><br /></div>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-62253045331290425282024-01-31T23:02:00.002-06:002024-02-03T09:43:22.136-06:00Canard stick time/nose tire low pressure<p>I gave a fellow some stick time so he would be closer to getting insurance. He did pretty well and noted that the Cozy was much faster than his older GA aircraft. We did standard maneuvers and some touch and goes and got fuel at Graham. </p><p>When we got back to Hicks, I checked the front tire pressure and found it was at 10 psi. so aired it up to 45 and also checked the mains. One of the valve core filter stems "filters" got stuck in the valve stem so I drilled the plastic out and put in a short valve stem. </p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-39194664176788929522024-01-24T08:32:00.000-06:002024-01-25T08:32:23.016-06:00Minor maintenance - Alternator whine in GoPro audio <p> Previously I'd installed a 470 uF cap across the essential buss but still have some alternator whine on the GoPro audio when playing back audio. I installed a .47 uF mylar capacitor across the main alternator's output and ground to filter the AC ripple out. The pitch trim motor also creates some noise but isn't terrible. I'll see if the .47 uF cap resolves the whine and motor noise. Also need to check whether the whine is worse using Com 1 or 2. </p><p>Dynon database and charts were updated. Connector screws were checked. The copilot side display screws were a tiny bit loose but the connector was pretty secure. I reseated the displays ethernet connectors and Wi-Fi dongles. </p><p>I installed some more ferrite beads on unshielded nose gear wires that were close to the transponder antenna.</p><p>The fuel filter screen was cleaned and reinstalled.</p><p> </p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-39121184454010930812024-01-23T11:41:00.000-06:002024-01-23T11:41:00.554-06:00EZnoselift installation<p> Marc Zeitlin's clamp modification to the EZNoselift should eliminate bolts unscrewing and or bending. It was not hard to install.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wv8xCy5Dszo" width="320" youtube-src-id="wv8xCy5Dszo"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-40063898890322681592024-01-19T09:38:00.000-06:002024-01-19T09:38:02.013-06:00Oil samples for 2023 looking good.<p> I'd taken oil samples at each oil change (4) since changing from break in oil to XC20-50. </p><p>The lab reports:</p><p>MICHAEL: Our thumbs are still up for the 12/06/23 sample. Metals pretty much stayed the same after the</p><p>longer oil run, leaving us with no concerns about how this engine's oil-sharing parts are getting along at</p><p>136.6 hours. Lead's higher level is just due to the longer oil run --it's from blow-by and it wasn't excessive</p><p>for the run. Dirt, water, and fuel stayed out, and insolubles remained low. Nice results all around!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-71434096390471742452024-01-18T08:47:00.010-06:002024-01-19T09:17:27.051-06:00Cozy builder visit David Desosa<p> David has been building a unique Cozy. Apparently it was a Cozy III morphing into a Cozy IV, one of the first prototypes. I invited him out so he could go for a ride and take a close look to see if anything I did could help him with build decisions.</p><p>We departed T67, went past Stevenville, then North to Graham for 10 gallons of fuel. About 20 miles West of Hicks, dialed up the radio to see what runway was in use and it was quiet. Then I radioed we were over the lake and now there was a Cessna taking off staying in the pattern, another student about 8 miles out and two Christen Eagles a ways to the North. I fell in behind the Cessna in the pattern, the Eagles did a 360 for spacing and I think another aircraft said he was the only aircraft in the pattern. I called that I was 1 mile final behind the student Cessna and the Christen Eagle said my audio was low. The targets on the screen when clearing the runway showed three or four aircraft on final and a couple more out west. Wow! Busy! As I was taxiing the Eagle called, "GOOD JOB EVERYBODY!"</p><p>Back in the hangar, I pulled the cowl and a screw dropped out of the bottom. The #2 valve cover was missing one so that mystery was solved quickly. </p><p>A few things popped up on this flight. The ARINC module went off line, the standby network went unavailable and the fuel pressure glitched to 75 lbs. a couple of times. The EFIS data was uploaded and will be analyzed for clues. </p><p>I have some 15 volt TVS diodes & some capacitors ordered. I'll install a small mylar cap across the pitch trim servo since it has generated a bit of noise on the GoPro audio.</p><p>The heater control is located where the fuel valve is usually located and is a pain to get to. I'd like to move it to the side or instrument panel. An alternative is to implement a servo.</p><p>The Telex headset I've used for passengers seems to not get my transmit audio when talking on the radio. I'd suspected it was in mono mode but checked the dip switches and seems like its set for stereo now. When we took off, we had some scratchy audio that was cleared by reseating the headset plugs. </p><p>So the squawk list has: ARINC module/standby network alerts. Noisy headset audio/jacks. No pilot transmit audio to the copilot. Move heater control. Replace missing valve cover screw. Check the fuel filter, pumps and regulator. Check connections on the copilot HDX panel.</p><p>An email from Marc Zeitlin advises the nose gear clamps have been shipped. Tracking info shows it will be here tomorrow.</p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-20822977147114764742024-01-14T14:24:00.013-06:002024-01-14T16:11:01.905-06:00Starter damage, ring gear and broken teeth.<p> Gremlins of a particular species like to break off ring gear teeth and kill starters.</p><p>Improper clearance between the starter and ring gear. This is attributed to a known issue with new Superior ring gears and the Skytec 149NL starters having zero clearance. Destroys starters.</p><p>Flipped trigger wire on an EI coil. This caused the wasted spark to occur on the bottom of the intake stroke causing a kick back.</p><p>Starting the engine without sufficient fuel pressure/momentarily bumping the starter switch.</p><p>Timing not retarding or advanced when starting and light weight props.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlPrWZ9Uxs3Jna0pEYwYJ4INBRtM1Zmf3hkpFVjCnL5_gpsmg-GHMgVA8Q369A5J8xlppEZ5aUo3xhOUP-EjADgxVZ2KOWCPsPgsjfDVfC3ATszEIJbv74U6votM6Tj7nvqbQDQUb-qtVeTHzkBjNusDODEsl73x1y3hZejnejDZ_vtEETPXW-cx5POU/s4032/IMG_3716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlPrWZ9Uxs3Jna0pEYwYJ4INBRtM1Zmf3hkpFVjCnL5_gpsmg-GHMgVA8Q369A5J8xlppEZ5aUo3xhOUP-EjADgxVZ2KOWCPsPgsjfDVfC3ATszEIJbv74U6votM6Tj7nvqbQDQUb-qtVeTHzkBjNusDODEsl73x1y3hZejnejDZ_vtEETPXW-cx5POU/w240-h320/IMG_3716.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only missing one tooth this time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>The first issue was resolved by replacing the starter. Oddly, the issue didn't seem to occur until after several initial engine test runs. I'd started the engine, was wearing a non-ANR headset and could hear a clattering ring ring sound. I shut the engine down and quickly found the starter had not disengaged. It shelled a bearing. Although it had only been used a few times, it was out of a two year warranty. A call to tech support at Skytec quickly diagnosed the issue was due to the dimensions that Superior and Skytec used to make these components resulted in no clearance between the gears. A shim would be required to increase the clearance so that the starter would disengage properly. </p><p>Aeroperformance aka Aircraft Spruce near me had starters in stock so I ordered one. The price had gone up considerably since I'd purchased one several years ago There is also a refundable core charge that is dependent on Skytec inspecting the core. </p><p>I made a pattern from the starter's mating surface and fabricated a .020" thick shim out of 2024T3. The starter was mounted and clearance checked based on instructions from some hot rod web sites. The starter then disengaged properly after that. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMBv750ded_pFywfLlqF-LXEZmpYZxEcQ0fzX-Qt68OHssNms87-HUt3ZcLxFJo48eBRuyaBHh2I9yyys8eO8Kj0P67Pfnw_uZqEP6kQww_a6-ppMc4RDCAsDcASJQhZBg4IJs6_WsOClQD9RE1LV_j9dpQu8rNOP4DR5c8ccHKMjkHeBtRpSmlFy5lA/s4032/IMG_3940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMBv750ded_pFywfLlqF-LXEZmpYZxEcQ0fzX-Qt68OHssNms87-HUt3ZcLxFJo48eBRuyaBHh2I9yyys8eO8Kj0P67Pfnw_uZqEP6kQww_a6-ppMc4RDCAsDcASJQhZBg4IJs6_WsOClQD9RE1LV_j9dpQu8rNOP4DR5c8ccHKMjkHeBtRpSmlFy5lA/s320/IMG_3940.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shim for starter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>So, back to first engine runs... The engine would start fine but then one day when starting....a nasty crunch & kickback sound indicated there were still gremlins. Ultimately, this cause was attributed to one of the EI coil trigger wires being transposed causing a spark at the bottom of the intake stroke. </p><p>All was well for months, but then one day when for some reason (distraction), I'd neglected to turn on the fuel pump(s) and I'd usually also been able to start the engine by just bumping the starter switch. This is my theory, but apparently when the fuel pressure is low and the injectors fire, only a minuscule amount of fuel enters the intake and if the cylinder that's on the bottom of the its stroke, finally accumulates enough fuel to fire, the engine kicks back. Since that episode I ensure the fuel pumps are operational before starting and I keep the starter engaged until the engine cranks up. It is odd that the shear pin in the starter didn't let go before breaking a teeth off the ring gear. Fortunately others with the same EI/EFI and similar engines haven't had this problem.</p><p>The flywheel and ring gear have to pulled off the engine. I asked some local pros if they'd done this before but no luck. Searching the interwebs for replacing automotive ring gears found several methods. One was to heat the ring gear with a hot torch to expand it and it would either fall off or with a few pops with a hammer, come off. I tried this initially but after paint started blackening decide to try the cold chisel method. Since this method breaks the ring gear, it made sense to help it out by cutting a slice as deep as possible without damaging the surface under the ring gear. There is a lip that the ring gear is against so a round cut off wheel can only go so deep, but weaken the gear. The assembly needs a very solid surface so that the chisel strikes are effective. Place the ring gear retaining lip up so that the ring gear is driven away from it when it is struck from above. The chisel head is placed in the slot that was cut. A 3 lb. hammer, large cold chisel, gloves and eye protection are prudent. I tried multiple light strikes initially but didn't make any progress. Experience revealed on the last two ring gears, that it took three solid whacks to break and depart the ring gear. The ring usually moves a little on the first whack, more on the 2nd and breaks on the third. It comes off faster than a scared cat so heavy gloves are needed to protect your hands. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rFCMXvthkwiESDuy37hXngzbD9wz3YYznWFhc38eaM41C9DZ9-mq7DfNmhJWGmW6jE7e4abAlP2BDJsOWHmjokEkiS9HyWBPJ9PSiy8lfTw92cB3HKcwUc5LWSz4GqfKa2puclPuK3kKP7jFmjhGcOYFmc3LdDEGfn-ZifdC6NtqhI2Sf0CsyFIqnvs/s4032/IMG_3890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rFCMXvthkwiESDuy37hXngzbD9wz3YYznWFhc38eaM41C9DZ9-mq7DfNmhJWGmW6jE7e4abAlP2BDJsOWHmjokEkiS9HyWBPJ9PSiy8lfTw92cB3HKcwUc5LWSz4GqfKa2puclPuK3kKP7jFmjhGcOYFmc3LdDEGfn-ZifdC6NtqhI2Sf0CsyFIqnvs/s320/IMG_3890.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold chisel and slit cut in the ring gear.</td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9FglkYJlp0H-48OWJWPfV3PHXE-aV2sCbvuabKrfDTDS7kQ_wKdfoAmxodECbptX6os4SwMhyphenhyphenx2nbMXHd3xrfr4ADopn-kCMqyEDBQlxFXua4UrUHPRr5n-2O1mFV6_dlNBB1nnShxS76foj7r_KYlW4ALKKYCEq_Dra4dfhUvAaYqaXQ7G4kpnmRv4/s4032/IMG_3891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9FglkYJlp0H-48OWJWPfV3PHXE-aV2sCbvuabKrfDTDS7kQ_wKdfoAmxodECbptX6os4SwMhyphenhyphenx2nbMXHd3xrfr4ADopn-kCMqyEDBQlxFXua4UrUHPRr5n-2O1mFV6_dlNBB1nnShxS76foj7r_KYlW4ALKKYCEq_Dra4dfhUvAaYqaXQ7G4kpnmRv4/s320/IMG_3891.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 whacks later.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></p><p>Installing the new gear is easy. It's important to verify the tooth count is the same. The U shaped teeth are on the 149 count gears and V shaped are on the 122 count gears. The ring gears teeth are machined so it's important to mount the gear with the machined side towards the starter oriented away from the retaining lip. Make sure all of the mating surfaces are clean and free of burs. Heat the new gear (oven works fine) to 375 - 400F. Put the other part in the freezer. When you're ready...and wear gloves to handle the hot ring, drop the ring gear on. It is so loose it spins around but in less than a minute, it will have shrunk and secured itself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytEmTFLvFjVIk0bt-D9px3Xz4abxq4lXwciNduKH3OowVMaoagtLNmC1Pc2aLFHnglIOYCeTq40ua3ura3c2Odasy4WOi4aDCYtYf3vONh2Qko89dU4yFPg_e4xbOL7Ae42KxhC5ISAqqd-qXXxTOOSRGXIeKCpfShPowOKvIoD38rTVCiSLc0KLb5XA/s4032/IMG_3892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytEmTFLvFjVIk0bt-D9px3Xz4abxq4lXwciNduKH3OowVMaoagtLNmC1Pc2aLFHnglIOYCeTq40ua3ura3c2Odasy4WOi4aDCYtYf3vONh2Qko89dU4yFPg_e4xbOL7Ae42KxhC5ISAqqd-qXXxTOOSRGXIeKCpfShPowOKvIoD38rTVCiSLc0KLb5XA/s320/IMG_3892.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ring gear will fit in a countertop oven.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Fortunately I haven't had any issues for awhile but will keep watch for those gremlins.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-58069410416484195802024-01-01T10:52:00.004-06:002024-01-07T18:04:19.217-06:00Formation flying practice<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Three of us met at KRPH Graham Texas to do some formation practice. We briefed, flew for an hour and then debriefed. Mark Richardson got some nice photos and videos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOJFRTFxDlgrOIJO3BIsLCShj5KL7XB0VsjByKflMudsfJ4tTQH0m98niDuid9kehqsdoKBG6CZUrFE15jCCxhmBMA4iQ0SXok2H588fjKB3u3SjoxosQA31DbpXCmoq0IelvP8RrLEvbfHa3G6yH4jG0lu_8SAoslm_hR_8a1j1VocPbFphJd-egOm4/s2048/415871678_10160877683925874_1710341976755064908_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOJFRTFxDlgrOIJO3BIsLCShj5KL7XB0VsjByKflMudsfJ4tTQH0m98niDuid9kehqsdoKBG6CZUrFE15jCCxhmBMA4iQ0SXok2H588fjKB3u3SjoxosQA31DbpXCmoq0IelvP8RrLEvbfHa3G6yH4jG0lu_8SAoslm_hR_8a1j1VocPbFphJd-egOm4/s320/415871678_10160877683925874_1710341976755064908_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9kgikmeAIs7QbRkNLNkHQhDSG6y33dpKrCJMErHEIeYziekuv2nuUPBKnSfT_DZJweomx9GBWfvggCc02e4hR1Y6ifvxKuiICl64YFFa3rWxONKhyjLMSv8CESERGOVNexsnyXonupWupWHN0zg1ePsBpIclu74DkptwQesYV9DzAzMB_L71aG5oX4w/s7008/DSC00521.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4672" data-original-width="7008" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9kgikmeAIs7QbRkNLNkHQhDSG6y33dpKrCJMErHEIeYziekuv2nuUPBKnSfT_DZJweomx9GBWfvggCc02e4hR1Y6ifvxKuiICl64YFFa3rWxONKhyjLMSv8CESERGOVNexsnyXonupWupWHN0zg1ePsBpIclu74DkptwQesYV9DzAzMB_L71aG5oX4w/s320/DSC00521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5dUVV-a-vQc7a0Jabwex1Vv4l-XbxskvCk8wae7EAP5w_ZX_2DE6McatP6R-oU-kfqscZh5ZvVquRtEKXUvx0gc2ZyMJWL4_7no2XgJmauZ-vJY-tiV1X6Dc-md4wbyTj0F5hbTRLks7C4PA4fhoXhV70RrDySv-mgVf5iLeVV_ma-nTNqupmQI3Qek/s2048/N724czintrail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5dUVV-a-vQc7a0Jabwex1Vv4l-XbxskvCk8wae7EAP5w_ZX_2DE6McatP6R-oU-kfqscZh5ZvVquRtEKXUvx0gc2ZyMJWL4_7no2XgJmauZ-vJY-tiV1X6Dc-md4wbyTj0F5hbTRLks7C4PA4fhoXhV70RrDySv-mgVf5iLeVV_ma-nTNqupmQI3Qek/s320/N724czintrail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zzYN15aqb7Y" width="320" youtube-src-id="zzYN15aqb7Y"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-40440160688508353942023-12-28T17:32:00.003-06:002023-12-29T11:33:30.723-06:00Tosten PTT switch replaced<p>The push to talk switch still worked but was requiring a bit more deliberate squeeze to transmit. Probably the victim of abuse from of an occasionally white knuckled test pilot. </p><p>The pilot's control stick was pulled apart to access the push to talk switch. Tosten had mailed me instructions and a replacement circuit board with two switches on it. Unfortunately, after popping the stick apart it was found that the circuit board didn't match my model, but the switches on the circuit boards were very similar.</p><p>The old button was unsoldered. One of the good switches was unsoldered from the new board and replaced the old switch, then contacts were checked to ensure operation wasn't affected after being soldered back.</p><p>Reassembly is a bit of a challenge because the PTT trigger spring easily comes loose if the trigger moves when the switch halves are mated back together. There were multiple lengths of screws holding the stick halves together so I made a mental note which ones went where and managed to get them back where they belonged.</p><p>The stick was reinstalled then tested. </p><p>New charts were out so the memory cards were updated.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKh8ZUXmTHdauX6dvg8n4fZdvYh3Qn1_Yurcc258wxXmStGlYzTEP7v_8rwJlKTgDKYRdKCUE0jVh6I04msD4I-go1dXpm4A2-Uts9nLswjYulVXhJ7PxNY_D5g32jKxBMlWCoNXef2JphZvp76SL5HUSpnCLmgRnYwrZOmohU3DUOHJ_g3gsUPH_-jAY/s4032/IMG_5717.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKh8ZUXmTHdauX6dvg8n4fZdvYh3Qn1_Yurcc258wxXmStGlYzTEP7v_8rwJlKTgDKYRdKCUE0jVh6I04msD4I-go1dXpm4A2-Uts9nLswjYulVXhJ7PxNY_D5g32jKxBMlWCoNXef2JphZvp76SL5HUSpnCLmgRnYwrZOmohU3DUOHJ_g3gsUPH_-jAY/s320/IMG_5717.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgGaqYpjBERST-ZoZCKWq6TgL1BLkDOsXj80giDaxQdo7-vwprK8MokpqAcAc-NrSSOcJN3zysJkGQdNoRlMAjkdG9BIkdm_G_r5WDdF7sJbBKF0v62V7DTjPqw55fiyg-vSD6wHTE0IUzYGs_qbZcM1Xn_Try49nwC9469BQ9tzb7Y9S0qTeyRZYBwc/s2176/IMG_E5719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2176" data-original-width="1253" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgGaqYpjBERST-ZoZCKWq6TgL1BLkDOsXj80giDaxQdo7-vwprK8MokpqAcAc-NrSSOcJN3zysJkGQdNoRlMAjkdG9BIkdm_G_r5WDdF7sJbBKF0v62V7DTjPqw55fiyg-vSD6wHTE0IUzYGs_qbZcM1Xn_Try49nwC9469BQ9tzb7Y9S0qTeyRZYBwc/s320/IMG_E5719.JPG" width="184" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-33677186274400960422023-12-18T12:12:00.005-06:002024-01-02T14:16:40.469-06:00Buzzing around PK Lake<p> </p><p>A filter capacitor helped reduce but not completely eliminate alternator whine audible on the GoPro videos. CHT's are very close between pairs of cylinders but still vary quite a bit between the front and back cylinders depending on airspeed. The old GoPro battery doesn't last very long so needs retired.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LN8lwckcfYc" width="320" youtube-src-id="LN8lwckcfYc"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take off from T67</div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ArNaL4WlGw" width="320" youtube-src-id="4ArNaL4WlGw"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PK Lake</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-70779210185379449692023-12-13T10:53:00.002-06:002023-12-18T10:00:10.877-06:00Alternator whine<p> My ARINC 429 module went off line again recently. I'd made a few changes but became suspicious that dirty power is the culprit. For some reason, I'd never put a filter cap on the alternator. Last night I pulled up one of my videos on my iPad and the alternator whine was very audible. On a few others, noise from the trim motors can be heard. It didn't seem to be very noticeable when I watch it on a desktop and think it's because I don't turn the volume up very much on my PC. Some of the videos are recorded with an audio cable connected to the copilot's receive audio and others are recorded using the GoPro's mic. Also, I'm not hearing alternator whine in my headsets. </p><p>The commercially available filter cap is 15 microfarads and connects directly to the B lead on the alternator. I pulled some caps out of a PC power supply that were 470 uF and will try one of those connected at the engine buss fuse panel (which is much closer to the avionics). </p><p><br /></p><p>Update-flight and video seem to indicate the whine is reduced but pitch trim motor noise is still audible. The ARINC module stayed on line. CHT temps are</p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-11383711808692330482023-12-13T10:40:00.000-06:002023-12-13T10:40:43.664-06:00Dynon Electric Landing Gear configuration<p>My gear and canopy warning indications are through Dynon's EMS220 which give indications on the panel and audible warnings through the audio panel. For the landing gear, I made a voltage divider circuit out of resistors and connected it to the yellow wire going to the landing gear switch, the other side of the voltage divider connects to ground and the middle wire goes to the EMS220 contact. The voltage divider reduces 12 volts to less than 5 which is what the EMS220 contact I used is rated for. </p><p>Functionally, the "Check Gear" and "Gear Overspeed" audible warnings work well with the caveat that it takes about 20 seconds for the gear to fully extend, so getting the "Check Gear" on final may require a go around if there's inadequate time to extend the gear.</p><p>The canopy warning uses a magnetic door reed switch and the latch lever as contacts to complete the circuit. A file was created and loaded into the Dynon HDX that only warns audibly about the canopy if the RPM goes over 1900 RPM while the canopy not latched.</p><p>A quick video of the HDX setup for several widgets:</p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/PRun_iBb4Hc" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/PRun_iBb4Hc</a><br /></p><p>Here's an excerpt regarding the landing gear configuration from the Dynon Forum:</p><p><a href="https://forum.flydynon.com/threads/landing-gear-up-warning.5098/" target="_blank">https://forum.flydynon.com/threads/landing-gear-up-warning.5098/</a><br /></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">Make sure you're looking at the latest version of the manual. Here's the relevant excerpt from those pages:</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-top: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">Contacts Used for Retractable / Amphibious Landing Gear and Related Alerts</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">The simplest method to monitor landing gear state is to use a contact as there are only two states to monitor and it is mechanically and electrically easiest to install. To enable audio alerts related to landing gear status, the contact used for monitoring the status of landing gear must be named GEAR:</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">SETUP MENU > EMS SETUP > SENSOR INPUT MAPPING > C37 Pxx ></span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">> FUNCTION: CONTACT</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">> SENSOR: CONTACT</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">> NAME: GEAR</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">To configure the GEAR contact alert for retractable landing gear:</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">Install the GEAR contact that when the landing gear is up, the state of the contact is UP and when the landing gear is down, the state of the contact is DOWN.</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">• SETUP MENU > AIRCRAFT INFORMATION:</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">> LANDING GEAR TYPE: RETRACT</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">> LANDING GEAR CHECK SPEED: (set as appropriate for your plane)</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">> LANDING GEAR OVERSPEED: (set as appropriate for your plane)</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">To configure the GEAR contact alert for amphibious landing gear:</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">• Install the GEAR contact that when the amphibious landing gear is configured for landing on water, the state of the contact is WATR and when the amphibious landing gear is configured for landing on land, the state of the contact is LAND.</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">• SETUP MENU > AIRCRAFT INFORMATION:</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">> LANDING GEAR TYPE: AMPHIB</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">> LANDING GEAR CHECK SPEED: (set as appropriate for your plane)</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">> LANDING GEAR OVERSPEED: (set as appropriate for your plane)</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">• SETUP MENU > SYSTEM SETUP > AUDIO SETUP > LANDING GEAR > VOICE</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">As for the actual annunciations, those are in the pilot's guide. Here's what you'll hear for each:</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">“Check Gear” : The aircraft is configured as a</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">Retractable gear, and the Landing</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">Gear is UP, and the aircraft is</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">descending through the configured</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">minimum warning speed.</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">“Gear Overspeed” :</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">The aircraft is configured as either a</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">retractable or amphibious gear, the</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">landing gear is not UP, and the</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">airspeed is exceeding the configured</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141414; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #141414; font-size: 15px;">maximum gear down speed.</span></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-15740504297227991322023-12-07T09:03:00.005-06:002023-12-07T09:22:27.191-06:00Vance Visits-Ardmore trip-squawks<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Vance Atkinson came out to get a stack of aviation magazines I had saved for him and to get a long overdue flight in the Cozy. </p><p>I pulled the 50 lbs. of ballast out of the nose and dug out an old ANR headset, and adjusted seat foam.</p><p>We loaded up and headed North. Vance took the controls and checked the stall speed, stick/pitch force etc. He admired the panel and avionics capability. He gave the controls back. I zig zagged around Class B space, climbed to 5500 and headed direct to KADM Ardmore OK. Unfortunately, my ARINC module had gone off line and I was seeing some other Dynon messages. It's seeming to me like the transponder's RF is causing problems since one of the recent changes I made was to pull some shielding foil off the annular slot antenna. I'll check electrical connections again to be sure nothing has loosened up again. The tower cleared us to land on 17 but I had a brain fart when I saw a Cherokee doing a low approach on 13 and followed it. Oops. Tower called me and asked if I was on 13 and then gave taxi directions to the ramp. 5 of my neighbors had also flown up to Ardmore for lunch. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLz1Y6akaE46BiPeskxbB4rUn_FmKG9yVXxfs2yAE0EWyTB5zc_tbWEW1PQFTzqx5cC7mh-t-Srua2SYPHAA2K5KJBTXcJN8rtPTM525kA0AlIbojsoJTBmk9Pjwn5pczWwfCd6qzmk5gtJxArDcjj31GDcwPVGYUZuitNVgdJfo0BmWSYwQTQZQL3Akg/s846/ardmoreflightaware.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="846" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLz1Y6akaE46BiPeskxbB4rUn_FmKG9yVXxfs2yAE0EWyTB5zc_tbWEW1PQFTzqx5cC7mh-t-Srua2SYPHAA2K5KJBTXcJN8rtPTM525kA0AlIbojsoJTBmk9Pjwn5pczWwfCd6qzmk5gtJxArDcjj31GDcwPVGYUZuitNVgdJfo0BmWSYwQTQZQL3Akg/s320/ardmoreflightaware.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9V8Scv_0H92_qi6_B94lGrZvXnl8aR84oMUL8zUBdiQ_OTRaUEykWZtsdSn15fNBYBER6vhJrMz6DnB0HV_IQ6aZ0rrFVmoAtCgpuwPRUCxt0lXEiPUEF7CcUSmLGLVR2nkzBlGz0SQJ1Qhs9OHOpUaMlHgpSv88n-Mqsko5zNwB0r6w8nziybkuFOaY/s1199/CHT-ardmore-.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1199" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9V8Scv_0H92_qi6_B94lGrZvXnl8aR84oMUL8zUBdiQ_OTRaUEykWZtsdSn15fNBYBER6vhJrMz6DnB0HV_IQ6aZ0rrFVmoAtCgpuwPRUCxt0lXEiPUEF7CcUSmLGLVR2nkzBlGz0SQJ1Qhs9OHOpUaMlHgpSv88n-Mqsko5zNwB0r6w8nziybkuFOaY/s320/CHT-ardmore-.PNG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went WOT/Rich for a bit. More work to do tweaking CHT's. Probably need something that is adjustable in flight.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Vance noted that he couldn't hear my transmit audio when I talked on the radio. I think the headset was set for mono and not stereo so will check that. He could hear fine when we were talking on the intercom. </p><p>I noticed that the belly brake switch had been flipped accidentally in flight, but fortunately the WOT switch on the throttle had latched the relay to keep the brake up. I've had two pilots ride with me that bumped switches on the console so need to finish the switch protector before someone breaks a switch inadvertently. I hadn't put the "protector" on because it isn't pretty, but for now it will be more prudent to install it.</p><p>The engine did start nicely although it had to crank a bit longer after the last SDS map tweak so maybe needs a touch more fuel on the start cycle table.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD-hRywzILZPDUOEv30WkYD342uIAuumtoeYYykJcQBLs_41GuOz4-q3rayjE2yApDmlP9a15ir9KxOvkpkwwftLCOJGETh8GLptUa-a43MRg3oNY8wbt6ogJXwNfNfeUp7iKzwIYbZisjjV0nkw_IXZHy4PcoQqWGsc_LrCU-cVPaDgm6dUvkjVIpRo/s560/vancemike.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="560" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD-hRywzILZPDUOEv30WkYD342uIAuumtoeYYykJcQBLs_41GuOz4-q3rayjE2yApDmlP9a15ir9KxOvkpkwwftLCOJGETh8GLptUa-a43MRg3oNY8wbt6ogJXwNfNfeUp7iKzwIYbZisjjV0nkw_IXZHy4PcoQqWGsc_LrCU-cVPaDgm6dUvkjVIpRo/s320/vancemike.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance approves!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-17987234180987274832023-12-04T20:04:00.001-06:002023-12-04T20:21:59.055-06:00Test flight - CHT balancing - VOR approach - Oscar Pattern <p>The SDS Fuel values were tweaked to remedy a rough idling after start issue and seemed to help. Apparently my version 3 values were to rich for the cooler engine temps below 90F. </p><p>Despite adding some deflectors to the lower cowl ramps, #1 is still the coolest. I think I'm going to make something more adjustable and remove the deflectors. I might try to see if there's a way to use a servo to adjust the ramp lips in flight. Then find an optimal position and semi-permanently fix them there. </p><p>I did a test flight from T67 to MWL via MQP (VOR to 31). Everything seemed to work except for the VNAV/ILS. As far as I can tell, the Dynon settings appear to be correct but I'll consult with a friend and adjust if necessary, then test again. The nice thing is it did follow the approach. Unfortunately, the pattern and RNAV approach was busy so left the area to the North.</p><p>I did about 75% of an <a href="https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/1998/august/flight-training-magazine/instrument-training" target="_blank">Oscar pattern</a>, and got disoriented but did a total of 3 360 turns/climbs and descents. I spotted a tower nearby as I was descending so terminated the practice. The radio traffic at Mineral Wells was still busy, so headed back to T67 rather than try another approach.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUARIuCyJ7yEmiAHr0-CFpAzJZYEHGZh18tkmGCWfSowWCsykzNx-aooLtmCoNkv-26STrJlInNdjmAFlTAiLEYkoQo87ue6B5UYZ1RUlGklXg7HCFSViNs7hKFAHdZ9XyLTPUaUPNE3W-lBcDjKO7ZMo6NgkZcXOUN5yvB0WeGZmTYjUsGWlatGqMaY/s1203/VORapproach.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1203" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUARIuCyJ7yEmiAHr0-CFpAzJZYEHGZh18tkmGCWfSowWCsykzNx-aooLtmCoNkv-26STrJlInNdjmAFlTAiLEYkoQo87ue6B5UYZ1RUlGklXg7HCFSViNs7hKFAHdZ9XyLTPUaUPNE3W-lBcDjKO7ZMo6NgkZcXOUN5yvB0WeGZmTYjUsGWlatGqMaY/s320/VORapproach.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6ab4tLd6nCZRpOkkLtFgXMB1bCJ464wfM8ukGnQAW9DvLjWwdHMN6HeUnMrWzxHqfhnMyQdVtLxWuRUG6YYMMor1V5C3wpHI8wpLDuSOzE4K7I1xmIfEhSFufUNpuN2VFltcZ2mdLuOiq7RrBV5PkSDm6g5twA11-aTuScIxV0jKn9sm0pWtvSozCOw/s840/VORApproachOscarpattern.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="840" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6ab4tLd6nCZRpOkkLtFgXMB1bCJ464wfM8ukGnQAW9DvLjWwdHMN6HeUnMrWzxHqfhnMyQdVtLxWuRUG6YYMMor1V5C3wpHI8wpLDuSOzE4K7I1xmIfEhSFufUNpuN2VFltcZ2mdLuOiq7RrBV5PkSDm6g5twA11-aTuScIxV0jKn9sm0pWtvSozCOw/s320/VORApproachOscarpattern.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-48037654710512681942023-12-03T09:31:00.000-06:002023-12-04T19:50:13.475-06:00Oil Analysis Lab tests ordered/Google cloud loses user data<p> I've saved samples from oil changes but hadn't had them tested yet. Another Cozy flier had chatted with me said that he's seeing ferrous metal in his last sample. He prepaid for 6 tests and gave me a copy of his reports. His recent oil change included his trip to Oshkosh/wet weather, so maybe the next sample will be clear.</p><p>When I change oil, I cut the filter open and look at it in the sunlight. Recently I'd read where another way to check for ferrous metal was to rinse the pleats out with solvent, then use a magnet to pick up metal out of the solvent so I tried that this time. There was just a tiny amount on the magnet. I'd been helping a friend inspect his filters on a zero time 540 and had seen the first three or so filters have glitter sized specs of metal in them and after that just pieces of carbon and once it looked like a shaving of plastic from an oil bottle.</p><p>This morning I ordered the six pack lab test package from Blackstone-labs. I've got samples from the last four oil changes to send in.</p><p>I'd been making log entries on Google Docs with separate documents for the airframe, engine and prop but not been keeping up as well with the physical hard copy logs. I was wondering if it was worth the time to keep hard copies up to date anymore but this week, there was a tech article disclosing that Google had "lost" users data and had to do a restore dating back to earlier 2023. I like having access on line. I was in Houston when Dynon announced a safety of flight issue for the Autopilot Button module with specific serial numbers. Having that info recorded in a log book in my shop wasn't as helpful as having access to it via the Internet. It wasn't hard to boot the system up and read the serial number from the screen either. </p><p><br /></p><p>Weird....I found this entry and it says, "Published 12/3/23 9:31 AM" but it doesn't seem to be.....I'll hit the publish button again....</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-60105205903716743252023-12-01T22:26:00.010-06:002023-12-03T08:11:36.982-06:00Balancemasters and other tweaks test flight<p> Audibly, I couldn't tell much difference after putting on the balancer. However, feeling the instrument panel definitely felt like the vibration was reduced. Any rattling sound I'm hearing is resulting from the prop, cowl & turbulence apparently. I did see 2750 RPM before pulling the power back after taking off. TAS briefly showed over 180 KTAS. </p><p>The "squealer" circuit I put in to remind me to turn off the buss switch didn't activate when getting back to the hangar. Apparently the voltage on a fully charged battery wasn't low enough for the circuit to trigger. Looks like there's more work to do on this. I think I'd like a way to either temporarily silence the alarm, or improve the logic.</p><p>When I was fueling at XBP, a N16KF C150 pulled up. Out climbed the DPE that gave me my PPL check ride ten years ago! We chatted about what I'd been doing since then and he admired my Cozy. He was happy and confided that so many people that got their check rides "hadn't done anything". </p><p>Back at the hangar, I pulled the cowls off in order to change the oil. I disconnect the lower oil line from the cooler, made a channel out of foil and drain the oil into the oil filler tube. I've had a few people tell me that the oil drains back into the engine, but I'm getting quite a bit out of the cooler and Vance did this as well. I drilled a couple holes in the oil filter and blew compressed air in to help the oil drain out of the filter before removing it. I've had mixed luck doing this so will see tomorrow if the oil drained out. -Update - there wasn't any oil mess from the oil filter. Not sure if letting it set overnight or drilling holes in both the bottom and the side were the trick, but anyway, was nice not to have a mess.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs-jyJX8-rU7gwzC4FRUBNAdD1sglC9CE7ShOo-1fuf-WFNnh1yg_GAD5VwuuMCKmCuEFs9KVk-k49Xy1b7VDuoHRHctjqUUykOUx0PHXNdQ01VCl2cjg_onW8BKQfnDIvF1vB5jnsgwKJipMjL9Ai71iZHrqtwTXJ6dYwFW45K5Uel6j0nkgOQnTUx4/s4032/IMG_5673.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs-jyJX8-rU7gwzC4FRUBNAdD1sglC9CE7ShOo-1fuf-WFNnh1yg_GAD5VwuuMCKmCuEFs9KVk-k49Xy1b7VDuoHRHctjqUUykOUx0PHXNdQ01VCl2cjg_onW8BKQfnDIvF1vB5jnsgwKJipMjL9Ai71iZHrqtwTXJ6dYwFW45K5Uel6j0nkgOQnTUx4/s320/IMG_5673.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foil guides oil draining out of the cooler and line into the dip stick tube.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-44165290421301651962023-11-29T19:02:00.004-06:002023-12-01T13:11:41.324-06:00Balancemaster Dynamic Balancer installed. Lower cowl ramp tweaked. <p>My wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas and then she told me to order it. The Balancemaster product was purchased through Aeroperformance/Aircraft Spruce. This continuous dynamic balancer is rather pricey but it's only a little more than what I'd be charged to for my neighbor to balance the prop once. Three out of four reviews were good and it comes with a 100 day money back guarantee. With tax and shipping, was over $400. <a href="https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/lycengblnc1.php?clickkey=8325" target="_blank">https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/lycengblnc1.php?clickkey=8325</a> </p><p>Link to Balancemasters web site:</p><p><a href="https://www.balancemasters.com/" target="_blank">https://www.balancemasters.com/</a><br /></p><p>This is supposed to fit Lycoming engines behind the prop, in front of the ring gear. I tried putting it on one way but didn't seem to fit quite right so flipped it around and could see that the Superior ring gear is apparently a little larger. Based on watching Mike Arnold videos, I'm guessing that this isn't going to have much effect on airflow since the outer diameter is a bit smaller than the ring gear. There's videos on the Balancemasters web site showing the balancer flipped the other direction, so it should be good. Rain is forecast tomorrow so might be a couple days before I can test.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Jf1D7LUxO_Pq9Sz-snkB8XaJA1sK7qEFnShyphenhyphenHhxeSOW0N734iV_nsE0p4tvoOiIsXeF8h7hNaxnULUDpLHKtRsX_0KD0Tmuf5Hm9ZaxCjyO3HHa_H6N_ymghQzZEGQgfzK5bbr-eQqV37hwhxuXlPA_WCgeo07TWV2mLpNbQvwLcS6NzE8BTYM4gsU/s4032/IMG_5667.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Jf1D7LUxO_Pq9Sz-snkB8XaJA1sK7qEFnShyphenhyphenHhxeSOW0N734iV_nsE0p4tvoOiIsXeF8h7hNaxnULUDpLHKtRsX_0KD0Tmuf5Hm9ZaxCjyO3HHa_H6N_ymghQzZEGQgfzK5bbr-eQqV37hwhxuXlPA_WCgeo07TWV2mLpNbQvwLcS6NzE8BTYM4gsU/s320/IMG_5667.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JUK9b52j4inveRFzpTMnWnxW0Pef7aYuv_uFvfZ5a_wOFF2t23CAGmkcK63SYAWdES92zXG6vDit1GPOOfdx7FW84P3DPj8rAhDZWKQ6cDovpKx3_sfDKf5EaGfaimRLOAupkT-Nkw-3CxnT0W2o8fbAAPBc9R0s6tTTt3CQYL7OgPei88WRf1fRs1g/s4032/IMG_5668.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JUK9b52j4inveRFzpTMnWnxW0Pef7aYuv_uFvfZ5a_wOFF2t23CAGmkcK63SYAWdES92zXG6vDit1GPOOfdx7FW84P3DPj8rAhDZWKQ6cDovpKx3_sfDKf5EaGfaimRLOAupkT-Nkw-3CxnT0W2o8fbAAPBc9R0s6tTTt3CQYL7OgPei88WRf1fRs1g/s320/IMG_5668.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZiu56E9CX2yXTq1QsWqZDFiojM5pYE3gApmrguyJRQSHXrr4M-nn3uArYIMTmi2Pzwpv9Y2qUXnbaYvZvJUGMlXmfSBE9Mt5HxUA6v4p78WLTZ56D5o9aG-k6dar-nyl6sQ-SWJGkfKbE_gLE6BZhQuVBGLK_N6GUtKkf6pfwvZ053NisJnlF8E5kDQ/s4032/IMG_5669.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZiu56E9CX2yXTq1QsWqZDFiojM5pYE3gApmrguyJRQSHXrr4M-nn3uArYIMTmi2Pzwpv9Y2qUXnbaYvZvJUGMlXmfSBE9Mt5HxUA6v4p78WLTZ56D5o9aG-k6dar-nyl6sQ-SWJGkfKbE_gLE6BZhQuVBGLK_N6GUtKkf6pfwvZ053NisJnlF8E5kDQ/s320/IMG_5669.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The diameter of the balancer is a bit smaller than the Superior ring gear apparently.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I torqued the Saber extension bolts to 50 ft. lbs. and safety wired them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHrhDXG6X8wtz-2yT9TfGwDUXcOLdSeDy91jaxK8GdnBRfMkIRnxRDWOhE6IiswBWkwrgRy8Dyw9QvYGQgitxOFDnA_FPXX-CeE6icrteE-bjfz5Trvfkn4dq5fENE88C9P8BG7NTArHJDEvMGZAHkPlOsqmgCGKgfqswgXCx2dGTRzgd2BOuFibkcuw/s4032/IMG_5670.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHrhDXG6X8wtz-2yT9TfGwDUXcOLdSeDy91jaxK8GdnBRfMkIRnxRDWOhE6IiswBWkwrgRy8Dyw9QvYGQgitxOFDnA_FPXX-CeE6icrteE-bjfz5Trvfkn4dq5fENE88C9P8BG7NTArHJDEvMGZAHkPlOsqmgCGKgfqswgXCx2dGTRzgd2BOuFibkcuw/s320/IMG_5670.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tweaked on the lower baffling again. The #1 & 3 CHT's are within 5%. The #2 & #4 were within 10% so I added a little piece of glass to divert more air to #4. The pour foam has made a mess of the lower cowl but I'll clean this up good and make it pretty again.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxP02rz4sRK3PaD4VaxOTA4gvvfCCf04hgSDh2MAgOwU-5ngBFUi0XMeTTseFen2aaEq798nH7q2ak1Up1d70GMxIZ2nNiVUAjc4nCdoWVwUjvWBEB8wuoIoNa1cbs5cXo_d5g449sy2qAItEqS-adWC36Fcz0HYaSg2Peo9QwH3WZk53HjCFCTgTy0HE/s3023/IMG_E5665.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="2723" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxP02rz4sRK3PaD4VaxOTA4gvvfCCf04hgSDh2MAgOwU-5ngBFUi0XMeTTseFen2aaEq798nH7q2ak1Up1d70GMxIZ2nNiVUAjc4nCdoWVwUjvWBEB8wuoIoNa1cbs5cXo_d5g449sy2qAItEqS-adWC36Fcz0HYaSg2Peo9QwH3WZk53HjCFCTgTy0HE/s320/IMG_E5665.JPG" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Bibbee and Vance Atkinson stopped by.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-21945431417781402472023-11-25T22:36:00.019-06:002023-11-29T16:51:21.877-06:00Trip Report - Auburn KAUO - Thanksgiving 2023We took off from T67 (Hicks/FTW) Wednesday a little after 0800. Called KAFW (Alliance FTW) to transition to the East, under Bravo, then headed direct to Minden LA at 7500' for our first stop. We landed with about 25 gallons so added 8 gallons to give us an extra hour of reserve. When I'm not doing flight following, I tune up the CTAF of the larger airports as we transit their areas so when Jackson was calling us (unknown AC) out to other traffic, I requested flight following and later got handed off about 5 times and with the exception of Memphis and Atlanta, were fairly quiet. I got a short GoPro video near Jackson but the battery didn't last long. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dt-FtHkme-s" width="320" youtube-src-id="Dt-FtHkme-s"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The weather was forecast to be broken near Montgomery but as we got near, the cloud deck below was getting more solid and holes more sparse. I could make out some water/rivers through some of the holes that were Northeast of Auburn so called Approach to terminate FF and maintained VFR when we were well clear of Montgomery. I diverted over to one of the cloud canyons and descended under the clouds. The weather reporting at AUO had been malfunctioning but the Unicom had a jet announce landing on RWY 29. As I neared the airport, a Citation reported a 5 mile base for 36. I called that I'd extend my downwind for 36, he thanked me and we followed them in. I sort of regretted that as there was a bit of turbulence on final. We slowed and I braked enough that we exited on C. We taxied to the terminal and were parked in about the same spot as last time with 8 gallons left in the tanks. We chatted with the line guy about what traffic was going to be like with the Alabama/Auburn football game on Saturday and he confirmed that it gets very busy. We advised we'd probably be leaving early Saturday due to forecast weather in FTW (rain). The wind was bumping the rudders so it reminded me to put gust locks on and the exhaust plugs in. My son helped put the cover on. And I found later that I left the buss switch on (to raise the landing brake) which powers a relay...and almost drained the battery. 20 gallons of fuel were added.<div><br /></div><div>We enjoyed time with our son & family who fixed a huge Thanksgiving dinner and hosted several dozen relatives. The weather was great but a bit chilly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday evening some social media posts regarding the airport were made and a temporary NOTAM advised one of the runways would be closed to park aircraft and that a control tower and ground control would be active at 1030. The forecast weather was still predicting rain in the FTW area Saturday afternoon with ceilings becoming lower.</div><div><br /></div><div>We got to the airport a little before 0800 and my wife took care of the ramp fee and fuel while my son and I preflighted. I discovered that I'd left the switch on but the battery wasn't dead yet. I went ahead and tried a few start cycles but the battery went into protection mode after the third attempt. My son got jumper cables and the line guys brought a truck over to jump with. It only took a few minutes to boost the battery and the engine fired up. I left the nose down and the engine idling to warm up with ambient temp a little above 40F. I showed my wife how to kill the engine if necessary while I went back in to use the restroom one more time. My wife climbed into the back and I raised the nose before climbing in. The oil temp was over 100 now and the amperage was indicating the battery was taking a charge. I dialed up Montgomery approach and the Unicom before taxiing. After taking off and calling that I was turning downwind at Auburn, Montgomery approach called my tail number and asked my request....ooops....I was transmitting on Approach. Oh well...I requested Flight Following to KTVR Vicksburg Tallulah @ 8500. After passing Montgomery, we descended to 6500 for less headwind. Fuel burn was a bit higher at the lower altitude. There's some long stretches of heavily forested areas below and occasionally an Interstate or other roads are visible. ADS-B wasn't showing much other traffic (filtered to 15 NM/+/- 3500') except when near towered airports. While en route, KTVR had gone MVFR with haze. The alternate airport nearby to the south was VFR. Visibility to the ground as we got further west had dropped to about 20 miles due to haze. KTVR's ASOS was reporting improved 6 mile visibility and the airport could be seen when I was within 20 miles so discontinued flight following. We landed and were greeted by a lineman who mentioned my transmit audio was "scratchy". It's probably because my microphone is to far from my mouth again. </div><div>We got 20 gallons of fuel, took off and requested flight following to T67. I wasn't sure if I'd be up to getting entangled with the DFW Class B traffic but it would make the trip shorter if we could get clearance to go direct. As we passed Monroe, I thought of Paul Roberts and got a quick video of the airport. As we neared Shreveport, traffic advisories became more frequent and the light cloud layer seemed to be getting lower. Less than 10 miles from Class B, FTW Center handed me off to a different frequency than I expected, where the controller was in auctioneer mode. He cleared me into Class B and soon vectored us lower, eventually terminating flight following when we were at 2500 just south of KAFW. It was 1 PM when we unloaded the plane and was showing 8 gallons remaining. I did get a few photos of Love Field and DFW. Click on them for a larger image.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj55jXBYsznnhzKsCFPz61nWzBVWgAGC00J6n5FOrvkXITokw0_gQcEolPglUGyjA7SX-Iql6JX_6gsBKDhBnVb7hOQqzsh1IN9JIxGbju692lj6UijCJK-hXZStjTo1Czh_8ksn_1lXIfTyijIkbNzsImcCBWEypC19j9A0cjl-vKkZm-jhCDpYvrftQ/s1442/DallasLoveField2023.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1442" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj55jXBYsznnhzKsCFPz61nWzBVWgAGC00J6n5FOrvkXITokw0_gQcEolPglUGyjA7SX-Iql6JX_6gsBKDhBnVb7hOQqzsh1IN9JIxGbju692lj6UijCJK-hXZStjTo1Czh_8ksn_1lXIfTyijIkbNzsImcCBWEypC19j9A0cjl-vKkZm-jhCDpYvrftQ/s320/DallasLoveField2023.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dallas Love Field</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFWAYEy3NgfjK8hsANu7F_odCr0YzNrrxY-Co2mUY1obJf4veYQf6KhrGU4vk_RyWPoWzQEoe57e9pCY6skmEhjPJrhukAlF79-UCHq3dHGgJqKO9tKMRnPyKNRbw2GbTOuVJ78MPrHS0rGeTKsGxGCQuwyU98AgvwqsCoVuEqP8Q1URBDuNCFXEkWRE/s534/dfw-adsb-thanksgiving2023.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="485" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFWAYEy3NgfjK8hsANu7F_odCr0YzNrrxY-Co2mUY1obJf4veYQf6KhrGU4vk_RyWPoWzQEoe57e9pCY6skmEhjPJrhukAlF79-UCHq3dHGgJqKO9tKMRnPyKNRbw2GbTOuVJ78MPrHS0rGeTKsGxGCQuwyU98AgvwqsCoVuEqP8Q1URBDuNCFXEkWRE/s320/dfw-adsb-thanksgiving2023.PNG" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let the fun begin. Entering DFW Bravo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>After we landed, I got a text from Paul that he'd seen us fly over Monroe! <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/qS3g4L4JgpI?si=eJ5kcmlpB595JkHA" target="_blank">https://youtube.com/shorts/qS3g4L4JgpI?si=eJ5kcmlpB595JkHA</a></div><div><br /></div><div>We unloaded the plane and got a late lunch. Some items were added to the squawk list. My wife complained that the rear seat belt attachment was digging into her hip. I'd heard a squeal that I think is whistle from the canard cover not sealing as well after adding a second Dynon back up battery. I also want to add an audible warning to alert me when I leave the buss switch on and the engine is not running. The canopy's (magnetic door switch) contacts seem to bounce when taxiing (and the latch is barely touching the "locked" contact) so I may need to change that to something more robust. There's a few Dynon configuration items I need to look at as well such as the glide ring not displaying when zoomed out and some other autopilot/Nav settings. I suspect that when the EarthX battery is charged, it's not smoothing out the electrical noise so either I need to add a lead acid battery or a filter to smooth out the noise...or both. It would be nice to have a built in boost battery for jump starting or extending endurance should the alternator fail.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-84479344917309372692023-11-20T10:50:00.003-06:002023-11-20T10:50:47.633-06:0011/18/23 Crappy weather=more maintenance<p> 11/18/23 The sun is finally shining again this morning after having some foggy overcast days. The weather forecasts were off the mark a bit. We cancelled a trip to go watch the new SpaceX rocket launch at Boca Chica due weather and other circumstances. The launch was delayed until Saturday morning. Maybe we can catch the next one. </p><p>I checked back through log entries and see that the spark plugs had last been replaced in June which was over 100 hours ago. On my task list was to tweak the fuel settings down a bit and I'd found that the B ECU's mid RPM range values weren't matching the A ECU. I'm not sure how that happened but am guessing I got interrupted mid-task. I need to close my hangar door to avoid interruptions when I'm working on tedious tasks. I reviewed the SDS documents on operation and need to start using the LOP button and get the fuel and timing dialed in for x-country cruising.</p><p>EFIS data is showing about a 10% delta on the CHT's. I'd paused the initiative to get them closer so will attempt to get the balance a little closer. I'm having to sift through my notes for when and what tweaks I'd made to the lower ramps and now wish I'd added notes to the Savvy flight data. </p><p>The head of a cowl screw stripped so I cut a slot with the Dremel and removed it with a flathead. Guess it's time for a new batch of screws.</p><p>The alternator belt seemed awfully loose even though I'd tightened it recently. An internet search returned Lycoming SI 1129D and explained how to check the belt tightness.</p><p><a href="https://www.lycoming.com/sites/default/files/attachments/SI1129D%2520Alternator%2520Belt%2520Tension%252C%2520Methods%2520of%2520Checking.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.lycoming.com/sites/default/files/attachments/SI1129D%2520Alternator%2520Belt%2520Tension%252C%2520Methods%2520of%2520Checking.pdf</a><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-76645458169266983042023-11-14T23:44:00.004-06:002023-11-14T23:44:45.739-06:00Friend made a video<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My friends finally got to go for a ride in the plane they watched me build. Karen ran the cameras. Don got to fly and play with the avionics. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d2RZlDFUb_g" width="320" youtube-src-id="d2RZlDFUb_g"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329540482495332209.post-53327169542825018972023-11-14T23:36:00.004-06:002024-01-07T18:06:24.103-06:00Wheel shimmy and continuing ARINC module going off line<p>On the task list today:</p><p>Check main wheel shimmy source...suspect when I aired the tire up recently that one of the ceramic beads kept the valve stem open and let the air out, flattening the tire and it displaced the tire bead on the rim. I quickly aired it back up. Anyway, I'll jack it up, let the air out, maybe compress the side walls with clamps and then air them back up. Probably should order new tires and tubes. On a side note, the new nose tire and lubricated castor bearing has resulted in quieter castoring (no more groaning sounds), but the ride seems to be a bit stiffer when hitting bumps on the taxiway. Additional note - I'd aired the mains up to 60 psi and found they probably should be at 50 psi. I replaced one of the filtering valve stems to get the ceramic beads out of it. Update - shimmy is greatly reduced now after setting the pressure to 50 psi in the mains.</p><p>The ARINC 429 module is still going off line occasionally and a couple other anomalies at boot or take off. I'll check power connections that were possibly overlooked (terminal strips under the pilot seat and at the VPX). Also will see if I have any large filter capacitors in my stock to put near the connector for the transponder, suspecting dirty power is the culprit. Additional note - found two connectors on the back of the pilot side panel each had the bottom screws loosened on the 15 pin and 37 pin connectors. Wish these were clips instead of screws. Update - the ARINC module is now staying on line, so apparently the loose connectors on the back of the PFD were the culprit. I also added a filter capacitor at the essential buss to reduce alternator whine/noise.</p><p>SDS had posted some notices, one of which was corrosion on aluminum coil terminals, so will check them and apply dielectric grease. - Update - Found the coil boss inserts were loose and the coil was becoming loose despite the bolts were tight. I followed the SDS Service Bulletin instructions to resolve that. There was no corrosion on the posts. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpc0Tc8pez4" width="320" youtube-src-id="kpc0Tc8pez4"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>Relocate pilot and copilot head set jack panels to the strakes near the control sticks.</p><p>Pilot side PTT was getting intermittent. Emailed Tosten and he's sending a new circuit board for the PTT.</p><p>Dynon released new software version 16.6.0.10546. I read the release notes and upgraded the system. The pilot side panel's fans spun up when upgrading and were growling some. The copilot side was fine. Need to check into getting new fans. Update - noticed I was seeing a lot more ADSB targets. Also, near RPH, saw "Partial ADS-B" which was new.</p><p>I'd replaced the bottom plugs but after flying to RPH, getting fuel, the engine still started a bit rough. I just got a new set of plugs, so changed the top plugs too and noticed that the #2 plug that I'd pulled last week didn't look the same as the other plugs, apparently because the gasket wasn't sealing good despite it was torqued to 19 ft. lbs. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8uX8Kj9MZpZFe5A18KHW1igivr_53yjHUBXsj5NZ3m-Ja8rJT_WmbENJVmTGdlmcXEMvUgBXGuyKXE4IJ8ofSjSpRFYgiARKMWPWoFEyqGSm0EIvUvFnyE5Fcjuj8d9POVKYHQ8g7xUTxE27VwT5HkrXLDMyMrKQqG367GTMdUnPxIb_f_9CcK4eJg8/s4032/IMG_5634.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8uX8Kj9MZpZFe5A18KHW1igivr_53yjHUBXsj5NZ3m-Ja8rJT_WmbENJVmTGdlmcXEMvUgBXGuyKXE4IJ8ofSjSpRFYgiARKMWPWoFEyqGSm0EIvUvFnyE5Fcjuj8d9POVKYHQ8g7xUTxE27VwT5HkrXLDMyMrKQqG367GTMdUnPxIb_f_9CcK4eJg8/s320/IMG_5634.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#2 top plug base indicates the gasket wasn't sealing good after the plug was reinstalled.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>I found a couple other minor items that I'll address tomorrow.</p><p><br /></p>Mike Satchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14210357147462672069noreply@blogger.com0