Flying!

It's kinda surreal... after over 9 years of building I now have an airplane.  That was always the goal... but when you consider the project 1000 little projects, you lose sight of that.

Not that I don't have bugs to work out.  But honestly there are few.

The header tank gave me some issues... now 7 hours of flying in with the changes and no issues.  That is a good feeling.

Aileron cables were either not tight enough or stretched.  Regardless, they are now back where they should be.

Airmate maps installed on my panel.  That is very cool.

No leaks... that is nice.

Tweaking my forward cylinder cooling.  The fronts are a bit cold, the middles are a bit hot, and the aft are just right.

Engine runs great... just burns a lot of fuel.  10 gph is normal.

Flight testing continues.  Next is to configure the AOA.  Needs some help with that one (2nd pair of hands).

Some pics from a friend on the ground last week.

7 hours and counting.  18 to go.

Minor prop issues... the controller would go into current limit when switching modes in the course direction (from TAKEOFF to CLIMB, or CLIMB to CRUISE).  Checked everything, and all I could find was one brush that was not wearing evenly.  Changed that, problem continued.

Airmaster had me increase the current limit from 4A to 5.5A.  That solved it, but they are sending me a new motor that is stronger and has higher gearing.

Need to do climb test, but that will not be a problem.

Lots of comments about the sound... does not sound 'normal', like a lycoming.  And the 4 blade prop has a distinct sound.

Pitot / Static

I have been just dreading plumbing he pitot, static and AOA.

The static ports have been in temporarily for quite some time, as has the line between the two ports (on a Sportsman, the static ports are just forward of the doors mid fuselage - just above the forward end fresh air inlet NACA's).

I've been dreading this because there is nowhere to mount the fittings (couplers, T's, etc).  After looking at some other builds, maybe I don't have to.  Bottom line is I am just going to go for it, and adjust later if need be.

Part of my problem is I have somewhat boxes myself into a corner.  Having so much 'stuff' behind the panel is difficult - well, relatively difficult.  The nice thing is with the displays removed, you have really good access behind the panel - but you have to remove the displays (4 screws, 2 DB connectors, a USB and an Ethernet cable).  The other part of my problem is in Canada we have to do a bi-yearly pitot static 'check' to the tune of ~$400. It's approximate, because if you have a leak you either have to fix it yourself or pay them to do so.  I will have to have one done before first flight.

One of the static ports

Bulkhead fittings on the port side wing connector (electrical, rf and pitot / aoa).

First couple connections.  Backup EFIS, alternate static source switch (in case of a static blockage), and the primary ADAHRS (not yet connected).

Here is the rest of it... actually version 2 after some changes.

White = Static

Green = Pitot

Blue = AOA

Above is the starboard static port.  One leg of the T goes to the port static port (routed under the shelf), and the other leg goes up to the top of the shelf to the ADHRS, AV30, and alternate static source switch.

I am still not overly happy with the install, but am at the point where there is so much going on my options are limited.

Moving on...