dashvii(at)hotmail.com
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 Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject: 2.5 in a 727! |
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Hello everybody,
Today I got my 2.5 hours in November 727 Romeo Bravo. This is Rick
Bowen's plane. It has been about 6 months since my last solo flight in a
Lightning. There's still some things to be worked out, but first
impressions are: I want one! Right out of the box with a total of 2.5
hours on the airframe this morning the plane flew almost perfect hands off.
After I got back down a local doctor in the terminal building asked, "what
was that thing? it was climbing like a rocket." (I prefer homesick angel
even as cliche as it is) Indeed it was. Even with the higher CHT's from
the break in oil I was getting a sustained 1500 fpm! Once at altitude and
the cylinder heads cooled I tried another climb while watching temps and did
about 30 seconds or so sustained at 3000+ fpm!! I took the plane out to 150
knots TAS going downhill. I did steep turns of up to about 80 degrees. I
eased down for a low approach only before my first landing to get a feel for
the plane at low speeds with flaps out and do a trial pattern. Verdict
comes back = too high approach + 5 knots on speed. Next time around I came
in again a little too high, but mainly the +5 put me about 1500' down the
runway. (I aim for the 1000 footers with a low time plane) I had to take a
break. At 81 degrees out you wouldn't think I'd freeze. Well, the vents
aren't in the plane yet, and the wind blowing in the eyelets at 60 degrees I
was shaking! So we taped up the intakes. At altitude it was perfect. On
the ground it was hot! If you all are wondering how an LSA compliant
Lightning flies, well it's pretty darn good. I was getting 118knots at the
moment for a Vh speed. I didn't do any stalls today as it was gusty out and
it's been a while. I did get down to approximately 5 knots above and the
low speed handling is pretty exceptional. The plane responded very well and
didn't mush at all. The landings were easily accomplished and my final two
touch and goes were squeekers. Oh, and if anybody wants to know if it's
just a fair weather flyer, well I made my final landing with a 60 degree
crosswind. Landing 18, winds 240 (at) 10, gusting 17. Not a problem, still
had plenty of rudder left. Head torque and valve adjustment done today.
I'm going to try to get down to the airport in the morning to go to the SYI
"fly in". Of course you have to fly in! More to come in due time. Brian
W.
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