Bill's RV-7 Project

I reconnected the oil pressure hose, re-installed the bottom plugs, and torqued everything. I climbed into the cockpit and put on the headset. Bruce was standing by outside with the halon fire extinguisher and camera. Max was also right there with the handheld radio. This was the first time I had tested the SL-60 Com radio and it worked great.

I turned the fuel pump on, cracked the throttle, set mixture rich and prop full. I turned the Mag switch to Start and pushed the starter button. The prop went around a few times but the engine didn't start. Bruce checked the gasolator to make sure there was fuel. With the fuel pump on, fuel squirted out the gasolator's quick drain.

The engine sounded great. I let it run at 1100 rpm for about 3 minutes to warm up. During that time I monitored the engine sensors which all seemed to be working well. Max said that everything looked good from the outside.

Today was a good flying day and there was a lot of activity at the Skypark.

Two of the Airpark stalwarts died last week and there was a get-together in their honor in the afternoon.

Everyone I knew at the airport and many I didn't turned out for the get-together.

February 7, 2009 - First Engine Start
Today is the big day -- first engine start. I was lucky with the weather: sunny and relatively warm. I got out to the airport early and pre-heated the engine. Then I drained the preservation oil out of the sump. I replaced one of the sump plugs with a Quick Release valve to make future oil changes easier. Then I poured seven quarts of mineral oil into the engine. Bruce showed up and we pushed the RV outside and tied the tail a steel beam sticking out of the ground. I put five gallons of fuel into the right tank. The fuel tank did not leak, I am extremely happy to say. I unscrewed the oil pressure hose from the transducer on the firewall and taped a clear plastic hose to it. I removed the four bottom spark plugs, then spun the prop until oil showed up in the clear tube. The starter circuit worked like a champ.

I reconnected the oil pressure hose, re-installed the bottom plugs, and torqued everything. I climbed into the cockpit and put on the headset. Bruce was standing by outside with the halon fire extinguisher and camera. Max was also right there with the handheld radio. This was the first time I had tested the SL-60 Com radio and it worked great. I turned the fuel pump on, cracked the throttle, set mixture rich and prop full. I turned the Mag switch to Start and pushed the starter button. The prop went around a few times but the engine didn't start. Bruce checked the gasolator to make sure there was fuel. With the fuel pump on, fuel squirted out the gasolator's quick drain.

I tried it again, and this time there was a cough after a couple of blades and then it started right up. The tach on the Dynon seemed to be working well so I increased the rpm up to about 1100. Max asked me on the radio about the oil pressure. I looked at it was in the green. I appreciated his call because I probably would have forgot to check right away in the excitement.

The engine sounded great. I let it run at 1100 rpm for about 3 minutes to warm up. During that time I monitored the engine sensors which all seemed to be working well. Max said that everything looked good from the outside.

After three minutes, I ran the engine up to 1800 RPM. Everything looked good on the Dynon. I shut off the left Mag so the engine was only running off the right Lightspeed electronic ignition. The RPMs dropped about 400-500 which is way too much. I turned the left Mag back on and the RPMs came right back to 1800. Then I shut off the right EI and the RPMs stayed at 1800. So the left Mag is good. Right EI will need adjustment. I tried Carb Heat but didn't get any drop in RPM.

I only ran at 1800 RPM for about a minute, then I pulled the throttle all the way back. The RPMs dropped to about 650 but the engine kept running, so my full idle is good. The engine shut down nicely when I pulled the mixture.

All in all, the engine start went reasonably well. Post-inspection revealed no fuel or oil leaks. The electronic ignition needs some attention but that's about it. Afterwards, a lot of the airport resident's checked out the new addition.



The happy builder. I can't wait to see how she looks with cowl on and spinner.

Today was a good flying day and there was a lot of activity at the Skypark. Two of the Airpark stalwarts died last week and there was a get-together in their honor in the afternoon.

This Stearman is the queen of Essex Skypark.

"Double Trouble" belongs to Chip Gnau and he took Bill's best friend Vince up to drop Bill's ashes over the Skypark.



Flying over the Skypark to make the drop.

Everyone I knew at the airport and many I didn't turned out for the get-together.

Chip making a low-pass.


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February 7, 2009 - First Engine Start