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inching ever closer to first flight

 
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bob.kravis(at)gmail.com
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 8:41 am    Post subject: inching ever closer to first flight Reply with quote

Yesterday FireFly E008BK made its way to the runway for taxi tests.  I am fortunate to have  EAA chapter 1114 Tech Counselor, Terry Gardener, as a mechanic/teacher and Van 
Covington as a test pilot.  Van had a Firestar KXP (?) and has over 300 hours in it.  We discovered a few issues that need addressing before Van takes to the air.  Perhaps someone can comment on these. 1. Rudder pedals were installed in such a manner as to be angled to the rear instead of upright when the rudder is neutral.  Perhaps this was an adjustment for a short pilot.  As it is now, the pedals cannot be comfortably reached with any part of the foot than the ball of the foot.  The solution is straight forward and only requires fabrication of aluminum bars that are drilled properly to attach the rudder cables and position the pedals upright.  (I like these easy problems.)
2. The ICOM A24 breaks squelch when the master switch in on whether the engine is running or not, and whether the rubber duck antenna or the external antenna is attached.  I am not sure how to track the problem down.  The unit is powered by internal batteries not the planes electrical.  The planes electrical system include a Kuntzleman Hot Box.
3. The static (plane tied down)  wide open throttle is 5,800 RPM.  We plan on re-pitching the 3 blade IVO prop to get the Kolb recommended 6,100 RPM.
4. Trim tabs for the rudder, aileron and elevator were spec'ed and Kolb instructed installing them by riveting to the ribs in each location.  This seems like it would be very hard to do right as the ribs, in the rudder for example are 5/16x.032 wall. Very little room for error!
5. The brake cables loop down low before attaching to the Azusa brakes.  There is a chance that they could snag grass or an unseen object on the runway (like a branch). Not sure how to remedy this as the angle of attachment is fixed by the brake's backing plate (attached by 4 bolts 90 degrees apart) and a 90 degree rotation is unacceptable since it positions the actuator arm down toward the front. Maybe shortening the cable a few inches will take some of the low laying loop out?
Ever closer!  
Bob


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Kip



Joined: 13 Jul 2009
Posts: 51

PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 6:20 pm    Post subject: Re: inching ever closer to first flight Reply with quote

Great job and good luck with the flight testing... Very Happy

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_________________
2000 Firestar II
R503 DCDI
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2010 Waiex
Jabiru 3300

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Dana



Joined: 13 Dec 2007
Posts: 1047
Location: Connecticut, USA

PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:32 am    Post subject: inching ever closer to first flight Reply with quote

--------------------------------------------------
Bob Kravis <bob.kravis(at)gmail.com> wrote:
(08/08/2010 12:41)

Quote:
2. The ICOM A24 breaks squelch when the master switch in on whether the
engine is running or not, and whether the rubber duck antenna or the
external antenna is attached. I am not sure how to track the problem down.
The unit is powered by internal batteries not the planes electrical. The
planes electrical system include a Kuntzleman Hot Box.

I don't know if it's your problem, but make sure the radio's ANL
function is enabled. This was necessary on mine.

Quote:
4. Trim tabs for the rudder, aileron and elevator were spec'ed and Kolb
instructed installing them by riveting to the ribs in each location. This
seems like it would be very hard to do right as the ribs, in the rudder for
example are 5/16x.032 wall. Very little room for error!

Just gotta be careful, I guess... I didn't have any trouble on my US.
I drilled and tapped for 4-40 screws instead of rivets, though, so I
could remove them if necessary.

-Dana


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