After getting my DAR inspection and Repairman Certificate a few weeks ago, I did two
high speed taxi test with disappointing results. The engine temps on my two rotor 13b
rotary were extremely high. Well into the 250 degree range after the long taxi (9000
foot runway) and the quick jaunt down 17R. Obviously unacceptable. I did seem to
avoid engine damage apparently by grace and the short duration.
Over the last few weeks I have focused on cooling mods. This time I followed the
advice from Paul Lamar's book "How to Cool Your Wankel" more honestly and put the oil
and coolant heat exchangers under the engine and a bit into the air stream for solid
ram air.
Today I repeated the long taxi for high speed taxi test 3. Outside temp was 96
degrees. Temps down Hotel stayed around 165 degrees to Alpha. I had to wait for a
Grumman to take off. Ran the engine up a bit to verify mixture. By the time I called
the tower to take the active coolant temps had gotten to about 185.
I took a breath and smoothly added power and started my run down the center line.
Speed came in as I brought power to just over 5000 RPM. I reached 60 knots really
quickly. (posted rotation speed range). I retarded the power a bit to maintain 60 ish
knots took a mental breath....and raised the nose. The nose actually lifted Holy
crap....that is almost flight. I brought back power and the nose settled (uh, by
settled, I mean bounced ;-)).
Ok. While really cool to me, the coolest part was when I noticed that when I checked
the coolant temp just as the nose was down, the coolant temp had DROPPED to the high
170's. A drop. Imagine that!!!
I pulled off at Charlie and taxied back to my hangar with the temps around. 185. They
just hit 190 before I shut down. Again, it is in the mid 90's today.
I don't know about y'all, but this has been a pretty good day off so far.
Thanks for your support.
Chris Barber
Houston KEFD
Velocity SE/FG
Rotary 13b turbo w/Mistral Intake
RWS PSRU/EC2/EM2
Dynon SkyView SV-7
Congratulations Chris.
BTB (Before The Book) cooling problems were common :)
Send some pictures Chris.
Paul Lamar
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