----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 3:51
AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] almost flew
again
Well this evening I finally had a bit of time to go back to the airport and
finish tuning the new EC2 chip with the cold start feature (still works
great).
After tuning for awhile I taxied around the ramp a bit and did a few minor
adjustments, then got clearance for a high speed taxi on the runway. I did 2
high speed runs and the engine was tuned perfect (well maybe not as
perfect as the autotune will do:-). As I neared the end of the
runway, I decided that I would backtrack and ask for take off clearance
to circle the airport while I checked the tuning in-flight. As I began to
brake from that second run, there was a loud bang and I lost right brakes.
Using full right rudder and light left brake I was able to keep it straight,
but went 30' off the end of the runway before stopping (not a problem).
Taxiing back with one brake was a bit challenging. I taxied past the charred
remains of my wheel pant, then had to make a 270 degree left turn in order to
turn right onto the taxiway. The fire truck has to do the runway sweeps after
something like this so he returned the remains to me. It was clear that the
wheel had been engulfed in flame, but it all must have gone out with the
departure of the wheel pant.
I removed my wheel pants for the initial taxi testing, but installed them
for first flight and other than for inspections, they've been on since. I
never really thought I was doing enough taxiing to cause a problem, but as
this demonstrates, it doesn't take much. It shouldn't take much to fix the
brake, but I'll need to closely inspect the tire and repack the wheel bearings
with grease, then I'll be able to fly without wheel pants for awhile. I'll
need to completely redo the right wheel pant.
Unfortunately, next Sunday I head back to tech school (BCIT) for 2 months. I'd
hoped to bring the plane down there with me, but it's unlikely
now.
Todd Bartrim
RV9Endurance
13B Turbo Rotary
C-FSTB