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A trip to "Lightning Operations"

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N1BZRich(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:29 pm Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Hello to all Lightning pilots, builders, and fans,

     Hopefully this "rather long" trip report will  generate some more message traffic about the Lightning.  I hope so.   Feel free to inject your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, or questions.   Someone on the list will probably have the answers.  Here goes:

     I just spent another ten days with  the Lightning guys in Tennessee and thought I would post a few thoughts and  observations.  The purpose of my trip from Virginia to Shelbyville was  twofold.  First, my Jabiru 3300 powered Esqual LS (Lightning Stuff) now has  250 hours on it (in the last 14 months) and I needed to do some time phased  preventative engine maintenance.  More on that later.  The second  reason for the trip was to help Joe and Linda Mathias (good friends from  Virginia) with the initial test flights on their Lightning and also help them  with some of the detail things like gear leg fairings and wheel pants.   

     The trip out here Friday a week ago was one of  the roughest rides I have had in a light airplane.  I bumped all the way  across Virginia and the eastern half of Tennessee and at times saw winds as high  as 80 mph (about 30 degrees off the nose) and an effective head wind of almost  50 mph.  Luckily, the winds changed to mostly cross winds as I got further  into Tennessee, so I was able make up some time and get my average speed up  some.  As I usually do, I made the trip non stop, but it took 4.2 hours due  to the head winds.  I still managed to average 130 mph block to block, but  I normally can make the trip in 3.3 hours with a block to block speed close to  170.  Fuel burn for this trip was about 6 gph - slightly higher that I  normally burn, but I kept trying different altitudes with hopes  of finding less head winds and smoother air.  No luck.

     Saturday morning (24 Feb) the Lightning  and Jabiru aircraft guys attended an EAA fly-in here at Shelbyville.  Yes,  we took off from here and then "flew-in".  Nick in the prototype  Lightning, Pete in a new Special Light Sport Jabiru, and me in 31BZ, flew some  formation before landing for another great EAA breakfast.  The ramp was  full and the food was great, so it was a good fly-in.

     Saturday afternoon Pete helped me do yet another  head torque and valve adjustment (not a requirement for those of you that have  the new hydraulic lifter engines).  We also replaced the  distributor caps and rotors, put on new plug wires, and set the gap between the  flywheel magnets and ignition coils.  Note:  the distributor caps and  rotors are time replacement items which I should have done at 200  hours.  One other thing we did was to check my engine serial number against  the Jabiru Service Bulletin having to do with the flywheel bolts.  Luckily  my engine serial number (843) did not require the procedures called out in the  SB.  

     Sunday was spent doing a few other maintenance and  clean up items on 31BZ while Pete flew some more time off another SLA  Jabiru.  Believe it or not, Pete and Ben (with family members) went to a  Circus here in Shelbyville Sunday afternoon.  You would think they would  have had their fill of dealing with us "Clowns" on a daily basis.  

     Monday was a big event as Nick made a first  flight in Rick Bowen's Lightning which flew beautifully with no  airframe corrections required.  I happened to be airborne flying some  demo flights at the time and was able to get a close up view of Rick's "jet" in  flight.  Unfortunately, I did not have a camera with me, but it is another  beautiful Lightning. 

     Tuesday's big event was Linda and Joe's  airworthiness inspection by the local FAA DAR.  The inspection  went well - as do all of the inspections in Shelbyville because the Lightning  and Jabiru guys know their stuff and have a great reputation with the FAA.   I am always impressed as to how "on top of things" the Tennessee gang is.   If you have any kind of "tool skills" and will listen to their guidance, you  will end up with a fantastic airplane.   

     Wednesday was probably a first for the Arion  Aircraft group as two Lightnings made their first flights on the same day.   Linda and Joe trusted me enough to give me the honor of making the first  flight in their "Lightning Bug" (N59JL) and it flew beautifully.   Linda will take over the test flying duties soon.  Shortly after that  flight Nick made the first flight in Joe Cooper's Lightning and Joe  was on hand to witness the event.  I had flown earlier that day  with Joe in the left seat of 31BZ and he is anxious to climb in his own cockpit  to see how much better the Lightning really is.  Another neat thing about  Wednesday was that two Lightnings that had previously "flown the coop" returned  to "home plate".  Earl Ferguson and John Davis both flew back to SYI for a  visit.  Earl flew some demo flights in his soon to be "record setter" (ask  Earl what that means).  And John's "red, white, and blue patriotic  Lightning" is absolutely beautiful, but I have to ask John where he  got that short "dorky looking" prop; in a box of Cracker Jacks maybe?

     Saturday (3 March) was another EAA fly-in  breakfast, this time at Winchester, Tennessee.  Three aircraft made the hop  to BGF from SYI.  Pete flew the Jabiru 170 with Joe Mathias flying as  co-pilot, Ben was in the Jab 250 with Linda Mathias, and I took Joe and Linda's  (N59JL) on it's first cross country.  The winds were forecast to be high  all day in this part of Tennessee, and the weather guessers were right.   When we got back to SYI we had a direct cross wind of 17 knots with gusts close  to 30.  I must admit I was concerned, being in a new airplane, but the  Lightning handled the cross wind with no problem.  The afternoon was spent  fitting gear leg fairings and wheel pants to N59JL since the winds prevented  effective test flying.

     Sunday morning I put  another 1.2 hours on Linda and Joe's Lightning in order to reach  a total of 5 hours so that we could do the initial head torque.  After that  Linda and I flew one last flight in my Esqual with her in the left seat and  doing all the flying.  She handled the cross wind well and felt ready to  fly her Lightning so she did just that, flying for an hour.  While Linda  was airborne, Mark and I took 31BZ up for more transition training for  him.  Mark flew some loose formation with Linda for a while in order  to check her airspeed indications.  Overall a full, fun day.  Linda's  landing was superb, so congratulations are in order for her initial solo in an  airplane she built.  And it is a beautiful example of the Lightning.

     A few other observations:  

     -The new Lightning Demonstrator is back from the  paint shop and it is going to be a super aircraft.  It will have a great  panel layout with an impressive dual screen Grand Rapids EFIS set up.   It should fly in a few weeks.  Look for this new Demonstrator Lightning at  Sun-N-Fun  where it will be doing triple duty - in the display booth, in  the fly-by pattern, and flying demo rides for potential  customers.  Speaking of SNF, so far it looks like at least five  Lightnings will be there (plus 31BZ).  I am sure we will have some sort of  get together while there, so make your plans now to attend.  Lets make it a  real "Lightning Storm".  

     -The Prototype Lightning will be testing a new prop  to try in the near future.  Nick has been running it with a ground  adjustable carbon fiber Sensenich set to a pitch of 56 inches and the engine  will still turn up at least 3400 RPM.  Nick mounted a new Sensenich wooden  64ZK58 on Saturday and will be trying it out this Monday if winds and weather  allow.  Stand by for a "sonic boom" as Nick starts testing the  Lightning with this prop.  Nick will provide actual test results when  available.

     -The Jabiru hangar (next to Lightning) is full of  Jabiru aircraft in various stages of completion.  If you want a "turn key"  Special Light Sport Aircraft that will run circles around a Cessna 172, a  Piper Cherokee, or certainly any LSA,  take a look at the Jabiru  250.  I am lucky enough to have flown the Jabiru 170, 250 and 400, and all  are impressive.  Talk to Ben about a test flight in one of these unique  airplanes, but do it soon - they build one a week and they are sold out until  sometime in June.  

     -Final thoughts:  It never ceases to amaze me  at the overall value and capability that the Lightning represents.  If you  want a truly beautiful kit built aircraft that is relatively inexpensive  (compared to other aircraft with similar performance), quick to build,  and has amazing performance while being extremely economical to operate, you  absolutely have to seriously consider the Lightning.  You will not be  disappointed.  And remember, it can also be built to meet the Light Sport  requirements.  Also, if you are in a real hurry to get in the air,  sign up for their builder's assist program.  With their expert help and  guidance, you will soon be flying an aircraft of your own creation.  That  is certainly a rewarding experience.  Another observation is that the  quality of the finished product when using the builders assist program, is  absolutely superb.  All of the Lightnings built here that I have seen (and  I think I have seen them all) could easily be called "show quality".  They  will get lots of attention at any EAA fly-in.  If you don't win a trophy it  may be because the Judges asked you "How long did it take you to build your  airplane?"  They may not believe you.

     -Heck, I want a Lightning.  Anyone want to buy  a fast Esqual?

 Blue Skies,

 Buz Rich

     



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  [quote][b]

davemcc

Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 74

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:57 am Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Buz

 I believe the flywheel bolt applies to all engines under serial 856. If I  read it right your flywheel bolts would not have the new torque of 24  lbs. I will be replacing mine on serial 751 with 219 hrs. Please let me know if  I am incorrect.

      More stuff-- don't know if you were lucky enough  to install a Becker com, if not and have a Micro 760, I had to send mine in  because of a factory circuit board problem and internal ground strapping  problems. I had to call Australia to figure this one out. You can receive, but  sends garbled.

    Auto pilot is almost done, excited to give it a try.

  

 Dave McC

  

  

 [quote]   ---

pete(at)flylightning.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:43 am Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Dave,  

   

From the service bulletin itself:  

   

4.7 2200 Engines S/No. 2058 and Above. 3300 Engines S/No. 837 and Above.  

a) Maintain the engine as detailed in Modified Maintenance Schedule B in Section 6.2  

below.  

   

As you can see engines serial number 33A837 and above only need to comply with the revised maintenance schedule.  

   

Pete  Krotje  

Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft, LLC  

   

         

  

From: owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Dave

 Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 6:56 AM

 To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: A trip to "Lightning Operations"  

  

     

Buz  

    

I believe the flywheel bolt applies to all engines under serial 856. If I read it right your flywheel bolts would not have the new torque of 24 lbs. I will be replacing mine on serial 751 with 219 hrs. Please let me know if I am incorrect.  

    

     More stuff-- don't know if you were lucky enough to install a Becker com, if not and have a Micro 760, I had to send mine in because of a factory circuit board problem and internal ground strapping problems. I had to call Australia to figure this one out. You can receive, but sends garbled.  

    

   Auto pilot is almost done, excited to give it a try.  

    

   

    

Dave McC  

    

   

    

   

  [quote]    

---

n1bzrich(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:49 am Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Hi Dave,

   Pete and Ben looked up the SB for me and said my engine serial number was higher than the ones specified, so I took that as the final word, but I will ask again.  Yes, at Pete's recommendation I used Becker equipment - small, light, and dependable.  I have been pleased with how the com and xponder work.  Good luck with the auto pilot.  There is some adjusting to be done while in the air depending on the airplane and how aggressively you want the auto pilot to react, but the results are great.  

   You going to make SNF and/or OSH?

   Blue Skies,

   Buz

    

  

 --

Rick

Joined: 24 Jul 2006
Posts: 113
Location: Colonial Beach, Virginia

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:08 pm Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Buz,

As usual, a excellent read from you.

Appreciate all your comments and thoughts....good job!

Look forward to more "reporting" from you.

Rick



_________________________________________________________________

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cdewey6969(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Has anyone on the Lightning list checked out the

Maverick light jet called SoloJET? They claim a cruise

speed of Mach 0.8, which is about 540 mph. I know this

has nothing to do with the Lightning but it is kind of

like our close cousin in that the Maverick team, like

the Lightning team, has managed to create a design and

clean it up and tweak it to make it much faster than

one would expect. The price difference is 1.25 million

for a Maverick or under 75K for a Lightning. None of

the light jets like the PiperJet or the DJet by

Diamond can even come close to the speed of the

SoloJET. Who wouldn't want to do a fly-by at Mach

0.8!?!?! Just joking. Also- FYI- There is a Velocity

(canard plane) with a 600 HP turbine in it. I want to

speak to that man to see how fast he is going and just

how crazy he is. Just floating these facts out there

to the fellow Lightning crowd to get everyone focused

on SPEED. I love flying but it sure is nice to get to

your destination in a jiffy.  Charles Dewey



--- Rick Bowen <rollnloop(at)hotmail.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <rollnloop(at)hotmail.com>

 

 Buz,

 As usual, a excellent read from you.

 Appreciate all your comments and thoughts....good

 job!

 Look forward to more "reporting" from you.

 Rick

 



_________________________________________________________________
	


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davemcc

Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 74

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:15 pm Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Pete

 I concur, my question related to paragraph 6.3, sub  notes.  I am sure I was reading into it about any engine below serial  856 having a lower flywheel bolt torque of 24 ft lbs.

 Thanks again, Dave

 [quote]   ---

davemcc

Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 74

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Buz

  

 I didn't get the autopilot done last weekend, we went  snowmobiling all weekend- got 40 inches of snow. Should have it done tomorrow if  push rods come in. Needed different lengths.Wiring is done.

 We will be at S&F on Thurs. Last year when we went, we  flew IFR to Shelbyville where we stopped for fuel.  Hopefully this  year we will see more than ice on the wings, like pretty  countryside.

 Dave

 [quote]   ---

davemcc

Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 74

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:47 am Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

---

ron.wullaert(at)telenet.b
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:33 am Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Buz

  

 I'm a huge Lightning fan living in Belgium.   I've been following the Lighting list for almost a year now and I must  say, It's because of reports like yours that I get more and more attracted to  this great flying machine.  I will be traveling to the US for a business  trip in April.  I've made some changes to my plans to be a few days  earlier in the US so that I can visit you guys at Sun-N-Fun.  Looking  forward to it already!

  

 Ron

 [quote]   

   --

N1BZRich(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

N1BZRich(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:05 pm Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Hi Ron,

     Great to hear that you will be at Sun-N-Fun.   I look forward to meeting you there.  I will probably fly down a day or so  early and be there for most, if not all, of the show.  

     You are right about the Lightning being a great  flying machine.  The Guys in Tennessee have come up with a great  combination of airplane and engine.  The Lightning and Jabiru 3300 together  have the kind of a synergistic effect where the sum of the parts is more than  the individual parts when taken separately.  From the Lightnings beautiful  lines, to it's fantastic performance on such a low fuel burn, it is hard to not  love it.  Add to that the economical kit cost and the quick build time and  you have an unbeatable combination.  Ask anyone that has flown one and you  will probably get a big smile, then they will probably have a hard time coming  up with the words to describe how much they enjoy the airplane.  "Wow"  seems to fit. 

 Blue Skies,

 Buz Rich 



AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from AOL a26657x4311227241x4298082137/aol?redir=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eaol%2Ecom" target="_blank">AOL.com. 

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ron.wullaert(at)telenet.b
Guest

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 2:15 am Post subject: A trip to "Lightning Operations"

Danny

  

 Considered the Esqual... Yes, sure I did.   Inspired by it like the Lightning... No, not really.   All credit to  the Esqual design, without it there would not be a Lightning.  But the  Esqual is still the Esqual of years ago, there is little or no evolution in it's  design.  The guys from Arion on the other hand, have worked hard to mature  the aircrafts design and make it to something that exceeds the  Esqual in many ways.  Even now, they don't sit down and  rest by what they have build.  They are still improving  their bird day after day.  The spirit of what they build comes to life in  the peoples who fly with Lightning and that's something I don't see in the  Esqual community.  Having that said, I'm sure the Esqual is also a far  better choice than many of the other kits on the market today.  I wish  you lots of happy hours in your Esqual and sure would like to see it when  it's finished.

  

 Many happy landings!

 Ron

  

 

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