flyrotary@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

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Hi Gaylen,

My aircraft (RV-6A) always required left rudder on take off and climbout with the 2.17 (now requires a lot more right rudder with the 2.85 and bigger prop) . I initially thought it required right rudder in cruise flight to center the ball as well - then discovered that my Turn Indicator was cocked slightly in the instrument hole - might check that just to be certain.

My left wing was heavy also - after checking for flap alignment, fairing alignment, etc, I ended up "crimping" the trailing edge of the "light" wing which fixed the problem. Can not recall whether the RV-8 has the same trailing edge as the RV-6 (bent). But, I agree hold off with the trim tabs until you have checked those things. Wheel pants and particularly leg fairings will probably increase your cruise by a minimum of 12-15 MPH, perhaps more.

The drag will hold back your speed (and engine rpm) a bit, so that would account for some of the lower rpm. Got any photos of your induction system?

Ed Anderson
Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered
Matthews, NC
eanderson@carolina.rr.com
http://members.cox.net/rogersda/rotary/configs.htm#N494BW
http://www.dmack.net/mazda/index.html

----- Original Message -----

From: Gaylen Lerohl

To: Rotary motors in aircraft

Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 9:19 AM

Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: First flight, RV-8 N5093F

Listers,

Give me a couple of days and I'll get back with design details and more on in-flight results. Flew two more rides yesterday, 2.4 hours total. I need some left rudder at all speeds. I'll review "P" Factor material, do some careful measurements and see if some of the problem can be shimmed out. I'll hold off messing with trim tabs if there is another way.

At full throttle and stabilized level flight the engine is turning 5200 RMP at 125 Kt indicated (no wheel pants or gear leg fairings) I have a couple of ideas to try to improve power that I'll work on as able. I haven't done an airspeed check yet. The left wing is heavy but can be trimmed out. I'll wait awhile before massaging the aileron trailing edge.

If the ball is centered, there is no wing drop in the stall.

Cooling has not been an issue either on the ground or in the air. I had about 12 hours ground running and lots of taxi time with the tail up and down. There haven't been any serious issues with the engine installation (yet!) There is a pesky oil leak (or seepage depending on how anal one is!!). My hangar mate, who teaches diesel mechanics at the local tech school, gave me some die and a black light to locate the leak. The big one was the stock oil dipstick allowing oil to splash out. Solved that with three small "o" rings pushed on to the dipstick seal. There is still oil seeping around the back (front in the auto) cover. At some point I'll pull the engine and reseal it, but not now.

Yes Rusty, 13B nearly stock; 2.17 : 1 gearbox; EC2 Controller and Tracy's 68 X 71 Performance prop.   Stock oil cooler and a slightly modified Griffin radiator used by the dune buggy guys with a Sirocco engine. Stand by for more!

Regards,

Gaylen Lerohl

----- Original Message -----

From: Russell Duffy

To: Rotary motors in aircraft

Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 19:59

Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: First flight, RV-8 N5093F

First flight today.

Congratulations Gaylen! The temps sure sound good.

How about refreshing our memory with some details of your installation. I'm guessing 13B, with the 2.17 redrive and Tracy's old prop. What are you using for oil and water cooling?

I'm also curious what your empty weight and empty CG came out to. FWIW, mine is 1080 lbs, with an empty CG of 76.0", which is pretty nose heavy.

Cheers,

Rusty (first engine run today, DAR next Sat)