I have 2 comments to make.
                    ! I was still finding problems at 20 hours at max power. It took 50 hours on
                    a test stand to run successfully with out problems. the engine must have a
                    prop on it to develop vibration similar to the airplane.

                    2 if the engine was run on the aircraft in ground testing, it would be
                    difficult to develop full power. very difficult to tie the plane down, with
                    out damaging structure. If the plane had a fixed pitch prop full power
                    probably could not be developed and max stress on the power plant would not
                    occur. problems could remain hidden until flight. if the plane had a
                    constant speed prop this would not apply. I have considerable experience in
                    ground testing because of my one of a kind istallation. I did not trust the
                    powerplant until i got very bored running it. I still do not completely
                    trust it in the plane.

                    chris smale
                    smale@ncinternet.net

          I had 30 hours of ground test time before I flew. A year of
          taxi-testing. Nearly wore out a set of tires going down the runway at
          up to 100 mph. Then chop the power and brake to a stop. 5400 feet was
          barely enough, would have liked 10,000. But that is one way to do some
          full power testing on the ground. Went out early in the weekday
          mornings, nobody else out there.

          As far as trust goes, that is something that develops very slowly. I
          flew my plane for a year close to home before I made my first long cross
          country to Arlington. Even with almost 400 air hours on my plane now, I
          still try to remain within gliding distance of an airport if at all
          possible. Like Powersport said, if the test pilot of the Velocity had
          done that the plane would still be flying now.

          Exhaust systems: you can use the stock cast iron manifold like I do.
          It's worth the extra 10 lbs. to me to have something bulletproof that
          won't fail and go through the pusher prop or melt the fiberglass
          wing-root or whatever.
          Perry

AMEN!

Alfonso Lebron-Berges

Hey guys please change your left matgins to zero.

Paul Lamar
 
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