Hi all,
I've got a strange problem that I'm hoping someone has
seen before. My mechanic normally works on certified aircraft, so he's
contacted Lancair; but I think the answer lies here with the real
experts.
On a return from a cross country, I wasn't able to get
my RPM and manifold pressure to 'square up' the way I wanted; but the trip did
end without any major incidents(a little backfiring from the rookie pilot not
slowing early enough) and I landed home safe. I asked the mechanic to
check out the airplane. The mechanic noted that after starting the engine,
the manifold pressure(vacuum) indicated down in the mid teens and stayed
there. He wasn't able to increase it either by increasing RPM or by
adjusting the prop governor (blue knob). We were able to cycle the prop
and note a decrease in RPM, but the manifold pressure never came up (while the
engine was running). The pressure read normal altimeter setting with the
engine off. We had planned on a flight to see if the indications were
different in the air, and figured it was just a read-out problem and not an
airworthiness issue. On the takeoff roll, I noted that the RPM's exceeded
red-line on my gauges; with less than full power (I roll in power gently).
I aborted the take-off roll as it was apparent I had a runaway
prop.
To make this all a bit more interesting, I purchased
this airplane and flew 5 hours cross country back home, did an additional 15
hours of flight training, and never once added a drop of oil. It has
always been at exactly 7 qts. I noticed I'm now at 6 qts, and on
pre-flight prior to my trip home from my cross-country, I noted 6.25 qts of
oil. Oil pressure and temperature all were normal
throughout.
Any thoughts? I'm thinking the prop governor
needs to be replaced.
Thanx for all the great help,
Dave
P.S.
Looking forward to meeting some of you in
Arizona in September.