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 Wankle"
more honestly and put the oil and coolant heat exchangers under the
engine and a bit into the airstream 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 Grauman 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
Fabulous Chris! I have a Subaru and the biggest challenge still is
cooling while taxiing. I have 2 fans on my radiator and it still gets
warm on hot days. Sometimes I need to let it cool at idle before I
takeoff. Once airborne it cools quickly. Sounds like you may be in good shape.
Keith
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