Doug,
I can think of a few comments but none worth sharing.
Nick Otterback
_____
From: owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
Kayberg@aol.com
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 3:30 PM
To: lightning-list@matronics.com
Subject: Re: N 34 YZ Airworthiness
Good Job GARY!!!
I have to smile at your first flight challenges! My first flight in a
Lightning was complete with 1) takeoff into low level scud layer that seemed
higher when viewed from the ground, 2) engine quiting on a climbout after
simulated approach to an air strip I did not want to land at...because there
was no place to go if the engine quit 3) EIS numbers that meant nothing to
me 4) banging my right leg with full control travel 5) a landing complete
with the hope that it would touch down sometime...since I was out of control
movements.
When you read the first flight stuff in magazines, they always seem to have
no problems. In the real world, that isnt the case.
Actually my second and third flights had some dumb stuff happen too, from
having a gas cap try to escape, having the rudder peddles go the the floor
on takeoff because the adjuster spring was too flimsy, having the engine
shut down on final because the idle was set too low and more confusion over
the EIS. We had vibration too, but that was of a more minor issue.
There is a reason they call it "experimental"
Doug Koenigsberg
In a message dated 11/30/2008 7:12:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
pennington@q.com writes:
First thing this morning, I completed another thorough inspection and then
performed taxi tests. All was good...except the warning messages from the
EFIS. I am having difficulty programming the EIS, EFIS and the other black
boxes. I'm not really computer challenged, but you wouldn't know now.
Nothing seems to be communicating with the EFIS. I guess I'm going to have
to bother Ben again. Sorry Ben.
After a few tweaks, I lined up on the active runway and applied throttle.
With lots of right rudder and a whole lot of anxiety, I zoomed down the
pavement. The first startling thing I noticed was the horrible oscillations
in the gear legs beginning at about 20 mph. I remembered that other builders
experienced the same thing but were able to eliminate it with balancing. So,
I continued accelerating. At around 55, I rotated and climbed. The engine
turned around 2700 rpms but had a slight vibration. I backed off to about
2600 rpms and it smoothed out. Weird. Warning messages from the EFIS
continued squawking but all the temps and pressures were very good.
After turning downwind, I backed off the throttle to approx. 1800 rpm to
slow down and apply flaps. I discovered that I need to move my right leg as
far down as possible to allow stick clearance for aileron authority. Also,
the ailerons don't feel to be balanced. I'll call Mark or Nick for advice.
After turning final, I pulled the throttle off for a nice decent. As it
turned out, the idle was too low and the engine died. There was a certain
amount of "Pucker Factor" involved at that moment but I was over the
threshold and lots of runway ahead, so, I just set it down and rolled out.
The transition training I received from Arion was life saving. Thanks guys.
I spent the next several hours adjusting and tweaking. Afterward, I took off
again and did five touch and gos. As I said in the beginning, I have bugs to
work out but my girl flys! I have attached two photos for interested
parties.
Have a great day to all.
