Hey, you got it bud! Always happy to have another rotary in the formation.
Mark
On Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 4:18 PM, Dennis Haverlah <clouduster@austin.rr.com> wrote:
Mark: Give me a shout next time you make the Llano BBQ run! You can smile and watch me go by ----as you PASS me also! Dennis H. Mark Steitle wrote:
I even got a compliment from one of the guys on the sound of my engine. He said it sounds like a boat motor. ;-)
MS
Me, too! I forwarded it to our EAA group.
Ben
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 4:40 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: BBQ Run
Mark,
Love to hear this stuff!
George (down under)
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 7:16 AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] BBQ Run
Since I've passed the 100 hr mark on my n/a 20B Lancair ES with no significant issues, I'm feeling more comfortable with its reliability and performance. So, I thought I would pass this story on for the benefit of those still building, and those that are contemplating using a rotary in their project.
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Sunday was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky. So, the wife and I decided to fly to Llano, Tx from Lockhart, TX (78 NM) to have some BBQ. We were accompanied by another buddy in his RV-7A, also from Lockhart. His has a very nice RV-7A (powered by a custom-built Lycoming IO-360). He always flys at wide-open throttle, flying on ahead and landing ahead of the rest in the group.
Well, I thought that two could play that game, and so once I leveled off at cruise altitude (4500msl), I didn't pull back on the throttle but kept the power in. I was cruising along about 192 mph (I usually cruise at 170-175) and I looked off the left wing and there he was, sneaking up on me. So, I opened the RAM AIR, tweaked the mixture for full-power, and re-set the M/T constant speed prop to bring the RPM's up from "economy cruise" to "racing speed". I picked up about 18 mph, which brought my TAS to 210 (according to the EM-2) and sure enough, when I looked to my left, my buddy was nowhere to be seen. The 20B rotary was purring along at 6000 rpm and could have done it all day long (or until I ran out of gas). Shortly thereafter, he got on the radio and started quizzing me about my groundspeed, TAS, IAS, engine rpm, etc. Needless to say, I landed first. Man, that felt good!
I really showed him... fuel burn went from 11 gph to 15.8 gph, but since mogas is half the price of 100LL, it's no big deal. However, I doubt he will make wise cracks about the rotary engine any time soon. I think there's a P-port 3-rotor in my future.
Mark S.
Still wearing the rotary grin. ;->)
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