Subject: Glastar first flight
From: rotaryeng
Date: 6/5/2013, 3:19 PM
To: AAA-rotaryeng



Paul, The impossible has happened, I actually left the ground yesterday. Flew for 3 hours. Seems my prop is too big as cannot get over 6500 revs. Currently discussing this with Lonnie Prince. The EGT went to over 1800 and then I assume burnt away for I now have a balmy 4-500 degrees. Is there a probe that will stand this temp??
The alternative is to strap them to the outside of the pipe. Not ideal, but may be an alternative. Ran most of the time at 5000 revs, and wondered why I could only get 100 Kts, and then realised that the prop was only turning at 1700. 5000 rpm and 21.5 MAP. Temps were a little too cold.

Water 135 and oil 145. What is the thinking on a thermostat?? Oils pressure was 80 psi, never moved. Had over 80 litres of fuel added for the second flight of 2 hours and there is a lot remaining, so fuel consumption was low, as is indicated by the speed. As you can see all very scientific, but when you consider that I was just waiting for that moment of dead silence to suddenly appear as it did twice with my Eggenfellner monstrosity, I was not in the mood to do many calculations.

Neil.

Congratulations.

Better to use cowl flaps as it cuts the cooling drag when they are closed. Well worth the trouble. It is worth 3 MPH on my 182.

Here are some pictures for the new guys.

What is the diameter of that prop? It could be too big as the prop tips are running into the transonic wall.

Is 21.5" MAP the highest you have seen? Sounds like the air filters are clogged.

Paul Lamar


Neil, Congratulations on getting airborne. It does my heart good to see another Glastar with a rotary. Where are you located? I'm in Seminole, FL (west coast /St Petersburg area.) I have my engine, but not installed or "plumbed". How many hours did you have on the EGG?
Looking forward to some more flight reports.

Herb Karkheck


Paul, Already have cowl flaps, but seem to push open a little under air pressure. Will adjust to see what happens. Prop dia is 74 inches and have MAP up to 28 inches or more with throttle fully open. The
21.5 and 5000 rpm is that I have to do 25 hours to fly off the motor restriction, so not really trying to suck the fuel tanks dry. Herb, you will have to learn to swim to get to me as I am in Aust. Did the
60 hours on the EGG before I sacked it. There is no doubt that it could have been made work, but the main reasons to jump were, 1 it was heavy, 2 g/box harmonics, 3 cooling or lack of and lack of support from the factory.

Neil.

Ah So! I see! They are being easy on you at only 21.5 :) The engine is not working hard. In fact that is 1000 RPM below lowest rotor bearing load. 6000 is the sweet spot for a rotary.

Should be something like ten, 5 minute takeoffs and climb outs at full power and  150 hours at 21.5 and 5000 rpm :)

FAA engine certification rules more or less.
I am willing to bet no non nada automotive piston engine will do that :)

 Paul Lamar


Neil,
We hope to make it down there one day.
Herb


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