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.

David Powell CRFA
superdmp@sonic.net
(386) 868-5858