MrNomad
Well Known Member
FIRST FLIGHT PLAN ? Comments are welcome
My RV9A quick build has never been flown and the O-360 engine is also brand new (not a rebuild). It?s a SUPERIOR kit we built in the shop. We ran the engine a couple of weeks ago and had no issues other than adjustments. It started instantly and ran perfectly.
The Lycoming manual suggests 1-2 hours for break in on initial use, but (generally speaking) pilots spend only 15-20 minutes on first flight. They usually land, check out the airplane, and go again if all looks good.
So how do we follow the Lycoming 1-2 hour break in procedure while paying heed to safety concerns?
Obviously, safety is first but I have 200 hours in a C150, will receive training in a 6, plus I?ve flown right seat in four RV9s. Right now I?m practicing landings (in the 150) by trying to keep the airplane off the runway by as little as 3 inches in deference to the weaker 9A front gear (or so I?ve been told).
Our 9 has been examined and rechecked by lots of experts. I will wait for the perfect windless day in Coolidge AZ when there is very little traffic. The plan is to fly the 9A, circling the three runways (a big triangle) for 15 or 20 minutes paying heed to all systems on the Dynon 100 & 180, particularly oil temps and pressures, following the procedures for new airplanes. A friend will probably fly nearby and keep in comm.
If all goes well during the first 15 minutes, I'd like to continue & complete the 1-2 hour break in cycle at 75% power waiting for the initial temps to drop.
If I decide to extend the size of the circle, this part of AZ has 4 airports within 10-20 miles of one another. I'll never be very far from a runway at 75% power in a 9A with an O-360.
If everything does not seem OK with the airplane, obviously I?ll land but before landing I will do one stall so I know what speed NOT TO GO BELOW during landing.
After 16 months of working seven days a week on this plane I don?t want to break it (nor my useless old hide).
Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Barry
PS: Folks save sooooo much money buying parts on this free website, and we share sooooo much (life saving) information on this free website, it's criminal not to send Doug $25 each year and put his kids thru college.
My RV9A quick build has never been flown and the O-360 engine is also brand new (not a rebuild). It?s a SUPERIOR kit we built in the shop. We ran the engine a couple of weeks ago and had no issues other than adjustments. It started instantly and ran perfectly.
The Lycoming manual suggests 1-2 hours for break in on initial use, but (generally speaking) pilots spend only 15-20 minutes on first flight. They usually land, check out the airplane, and go again if all looks good.
So how do we follow the Lycoming 1-2 hour break in procedure while paying heed to safety concerns?
Obviously, safety is first but I have 200 hours in a C150, will receive training in a 6, plus I?ve flown right seat in four RV9s. Right now I?m practicing landings (in the 150) by trying to keep the airplane off the runway by as little as 3 inches in deference to the weaker 9A front gear (or so I?ve been told).
Our 9 has been examined and rechecked by lots of experts. I will wait for the perfect windless day in Coolidge AZ when there is very little traffic. The plan is to fly the 9A, circling the three runways (a big triangle) for 15 or 20 minutes paying heed to all systems on the Dynon 100 & 180, particularly oil temps and pressures, following the procedures for new airplanes. A friend will probably fly nearby and keep in comm.
If all goes well during the first 15 minutes, I'd like to continue & complete the 1-2 hour break in cycle at 75% power waiting for the initial temps to drop.
If I decide to extend the size of the circle, this part of AZ has 4 airports within 10-20 miles of one another. I'll never be very far from a runway at 75% power in a 9A with an O-360.
If everything does not seem OK with the airplane, obviously I?ll land but before landing I will do one stall so I know what speed NOT TO GO BELOW during landing.
After 16 months of working seven days a week on this plane I don?t want to break it (nor my useless old hide).
Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Barry
PS: Folks save sooooo much money buying parts on this free website, and we share sooooo much (life saving) information on this free website, it's criminal not to send Doug $25 each year and put his kids thru college.