Dave flew up from SD 200 miles over the overcast LA basin to SZP with only
45 hours on the clock. I don't think I am brave enough to do something like
that even though I have a lot of faith in the rotary engine :)
He took me for a ride at SZP and I photographed some of the instruments at
5500 feet over the ocean.
Basically what Dave is doing is using the stock waste gate controller
and setting the MAP by using the throttle. He currently limits his
MAP to around 30 inches of Hg during takeoff and climb. This seems to
work real well and so far his turbo is living. No modifications to
the waste gate have been made. Throttle settings are around 3/4.
In these pictures the EGT after the turbo is 889 C or about 1630 F.
I suspect if you run higher MAP the turbo's are failing from
a combination of over temp and over speed. Mistral promised to
install a turbo tach but I don't know if they will get around to that
before they change out the stock turbo.
Dave's cooling is no problem at all he feels once he got the oil
to cool the water took care of it self. The hot air out of the
intercooler and the oil cooler than passes through the rad mounted
horizontal below the engine with almost a totally unobstructed path to
the out side of the cowl. In theory not the lowest drag configuration
but it does not seem to hurt much as he can easily exceed 200 MPH with
no clean up on the gear legs or anywhere else for that matter.
He is itching to race Tracy.
Today was not too hot. My guess the OAT on the ground was about 85 F.
Dave also had a flow meter on the EFI fuel return line and I was dumbfounded when
I saw 45 gallons per hour fuel return with just one of Tracy's fuel
pumps on. 80 gallons an hour with both pumps on!!! This means what you do
with the return flow is EXTREMELY important. It is possible to run out of
fuel very quickly if you return fuel to the wrong tank.
My list of rotary rides so far is:
Tracy Crook RV4
Chuck Dunlap RV6
Ian Beatle RV6A
Ken Welter Coot
Dave Leonard RV6
Eat your heart out Laura :)
Thanks for the ride Dave.
Paul Lamar
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