charles.harbert@fmglobal.com wrote:

Paul, just wanted to let everybody know that I flew the plane twice yesterday.
It flew very well, but it was a short flight (5 mins) just around the pattern.
The second flight was twice around the pattern (15 mins) so that I could check
out temps,pressures, handling, etc.  These have been with my gear down and thus
I must stay under 120 kts. (140mph). My oil temp is running higher than I'd
like, but that may be because of the gear being down. I'm going to see how it
does when I retract the gear in the next flight.

To recap basics, I have a turbo (T-04 Turbonetics-inconel wheel) 20B (Atkins)
with a 2.17 Ross PSRU powered Std Velocity RG and IVO Magnum in-flt adjustable.
I had done probably 10 high spd taxi tests and was concerned about oil and
coolant temps afterwards (wtr-220, oil-225), but noticed water temps went down
at the end of the taxi, so I felt that it would cool when airborne. FF was
closed pattern on a 75 deg F day. Due to a long runway hold, my T/O temps were
wtr-205 & oil-200. I set throttle at 4,400 rpm (half prop pitch in) which was
about 2 psi boost (34" of 40" avail), and rotated at 80 kts. Wtr temp held at 205,
but oil slowly climbed to 230 with a 1,000 fpm climb. I reduced climb rate to 500
fpm and oil held at 230. At pattern altitude, I reduced rpm to 4K and water temp
fell to 175 (160 thermostat). Oil temp reduced to 225. Max spd was 120 kts which
is max for gear down. Landed (poorly) and pulled the cowls. A little overheating
where the turbo exhaust duct exits the cowl, but had Ocean fire paint on inside,
so no damage. Put aluminum tape over heated area (worked fine).

On second flight, an hour later, same things happened, but I put in more pitch
(est 3/4) and T/O at 4,000 rpm (2 psi boost (34" out of 38"avail). Climbed to 2K'
and leveled off. Temps same as before, so did 2 patterns and landed
(beautifully). Recorded fuel flow at 3,800 rpm (110 kts) at 11.2 gph, & turbo
inlet temp 1,650 (waste gate 1,450). Boost was 30" out of 34" avail. The
interior cabin noise is mainly a hum and you could carry on a conversation. A
couple people I know who lived near the airport heard it fly overhead and said
it didn't sound like a normal airplane, but more like a motorcycle or outboard.

Because of the arrangement of the 2nd oil cooler, I need to get the gear up to
make it effective. Next flight will be with gear up and I'll see what richening
the fuel ratio does to TIT and oil temp. I'm not too concerned with TIT temp but
would prefer it be under 1,600 for normal cruise. I'll switch inputs to see if
the exhaust temps are valid.

Wonderful! Congradulations Chuck. Great data. You are a good test pilot.

harb3rot.jpg

Paul Lamar
 
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