Steve Hagar
hagargs@earthlink.net
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Hagar
Sent: 9/26/2006 5:14:19 PM
Subject: Flying is good!
I put almost 3 hours on N40SH yesterday. It was a fairly cool morning, at
least
for Arizona. I actually had to leave the choke on for about a minute to warm
it up. Up to now choke for start then push it right in. The 914 has started
first time and every time so far. Take offs do not seem to pose any problem
just require more concentration than a nose dragger. The high powersetting
and slipstream give good rudder authority and you lift off before getting in
any real trouble. I have yet to take off under full boost, just no need to even
with a good load.
Landings however would be hair raising if I had any hair. I have not come
close
to ground looping but there is a lot of squawling tire and rubber smell with
left and right action. You have to read the situation good and I have has
some windy ones. Though it is entirely learnable. It took me 11 hours of
straight
touch and goes when I had my initial tailwheel training. About at that
time the eyes, ass, and feet figured out how to handle the situations. It
just possibly will take the same in the Monowheel. I have been spending time
up to now checking stability, stall characteristics and working out bugs after
each flight. Several touch and goes get thrown in at the end of each flight.
Next flights will involve intense T & G's at different fields in my flying
areas. The biggest being 150 ft wide and the smallest being 50 ft wide.
The plane motored effortlessly up to 12,500ft without overtemping. The air is
cool (50F) and smooth up there even over the desert. 125 to 130 kt cruises at
lower altitudes were accomplished at 31" of MP though I wasn't trying for any
speed runs. Did not stay long at high alt, just wanted to check it out, I
need an O2 bottle for that to verify 17,500 ft cruising characteristics.
Pulled into the gas station on the way home and bought 11 gallons of high test
of $2.45/ gal for 2.8 hours of flying. Now if I only had a hangar so I
wouldn't
have to drag this thing around.
Steve Hagar
A143 N40SH
Flying off the hours.
Steve Hagar
hagargs@earthlink.net
|