First engine start - N826RC

rob · Post by **rob** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:19 am

This is a cross post from the other site, but I figured I would put this out here for those that don't frequently visit there.

Well, today was another one of those huge milestone days. Took a little time off of work to wrap up some loose ends and to double (ok, who's kidding -- triple) check all of the fuel, vent, and oil lines. I called some local RV guys and said the big event would take place at 6:30 PM CST. Chad Jensen came right on time and served as a critical extra set of eyes to ensure everything was secured and isolated from vibration.

Time to pull the plane out of the hangar and call for the fuel truck. I requested 4 gallons (2 per side) for the first run.

MILESTONE #1: Fuel tanks don't leak. Totally sweet.

I tied down the tail to the tow hitch of our SUV, and hopped in the plane. I hit the switch to test the fuel pump -- ran fine but no pressure building up.

TIP #1: Fuel pumps work A LOT better when the fuel valve is in the on position. I had a checklist in the AFS, but in my excitement, I forgot to pull it up.

Ok, so I got the pump working properly with PLENTY of pressure built up. Time to start this thing. Clear prop, mixture full rich, prop full forward, throttle cracked open, mag/electronic ignition on, hit the starter......

Low and behold, the thing started on the THIRD blade! Bart @ Aerosport, you are AWESOME!. First seconds, it ran a bit rough and died with a BIG backfire (with comment in the video from my wife ). Hit the starter again and it fired right back up and settled into a smooth idle.

I let it warm up a bit and then jumped up to 1700 rpms. All engine sensors worked perfectly (another set of MAJOR kudos to Rob Hickman @ AFS). A bit of a run up here and then it was time to jump up to 1800 and cycle the prop. Took a time or two to get the oil flowing, but it eventually cycled just fine. SWEET.

I took it back to idle, but realized I forgot to do a ignition check while it was at 1700 rpm. Raised the RPMs back up and I only got about 40 rpm drop when I turned off my mag, and about 100 rpms dropped when I turned off the electronic ignition (more kudos to Lightspeed Engineering).

Back to idle for shutdown -- smooth idle and an non-event shutdown with the purge valve (more kudos to Airflow Performance).

What a day! Extra special thanks to my wife, Christine, for shooting video of the event. Also, thanks a million to local RV builders Chad Jensen and Terry Wendling. These guys manned the fire extinguishers and checked for leaks. You guys ROCK!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXVDUsh0txY

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:04 am

Rob,

That is awesome! A big day, no doubt!

Sounds like you are thrilled.

Glad everything worked out as planned.

CJ

weezbad · Post by **weezbad** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:52 am

sweet. one day soon i will know that feeling. congrats to ya. be sure and film the first flight, i need my shot in the arm.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:23 am

That was one special moment man!! I got goosebumps when she fired up! Big congrats!

First flight...comin' up!!

Post by **bullojm1** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:21 am

Congratulations! Man it must feel great to be so close to the end!

Post by **Spike** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:30 am

Kick BUTT!!

rv8or · Post by **rv8or** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:47 am

Awesome!

Brantel · Post by **Brantel** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:51 am

RV7Factory · Post by **RV7Factory** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:04 pm

Way to go... congrats!!!

rob · Post by **rob** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:13 pm

Thanks guys! First flight will be coming very soon. I am planning on contacting the DAR again tonight to get the inspection on the calendar. I have all of the paperwork done, except for the weight and balance, and that should happen soon. It is time to make this thing happen!

dons · Post by **dons** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:08 pm

Very nice Rob, you are getting really close.