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dannparks
Sergeant Major
Gender: Male
Location: Parkside Airpark, Battle Ground, WA
Registered: Oct 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 391
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Posted Saturday, September 21, 2013 @ 01:19 PM
After a 6-year gestation period, N2188 was reborn September 19th. After finally getting the motorglider rating and paperwork taken care of, it was time. The engine had plenty of power and it lifted right off. What surprised me was that it was so stable and in perfect trim - no heavy wing. The controls were delightfully light and I could instantly see why they are so popular and fun to fly. I did circles around the field for a while and came down. First landing was a bit high and fast -- the thing floats! After an engine examination, I went up again and cycled the gear a few times and did a much better landing at proper approach speed. I'll have more performance details later. A huge thank you to all the members of the forum for all your help, advice, and encouragement -- and especially to Collin for getting me started in this in the first place.
Taken from a friends RV chase plane. Mt. St. Helens in the background.
And of course, neighbors were around to watch and celebrate afterwards.
-------------------- Dann Parks • RF4D #4051 N2188 • now flying!
Pictures at: https://picasaweb.google.com/111628310900713778468/RF4D_N2188?noredirect=1
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Bob Grimstead
Captain
Gender: Male
Location: Perth, Western Australia or West Sussex, England
Registered: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 2029
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Posted Saturday, September 21, 2013 @ 03:43 PM
That's wonderful Dann,
Many, many congratulations, and welcome to the wonderful world of Fournicating.
Enjoy your test and development flying, and I wish you many years of happiness with your RF4D
Yours, Bob
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Jorgen
Captain
Gender: Male
Location: Lund, Sweden
Registered: Apr 2007
Status: Offline
Posts: 835
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Posted Saturday, September 21, 2013 @ 04:22 PM
Congratulations Dann,
so nice to see N2188 back in the Air! Thank you for bringing us all along on a very inspiring adventure. I have enjoyed your modifications and I look eagerly forward to hearing your subsequent updates! I think the exhausts look great and would love to hear the sound someday. And no heavy wing? Wow, wonder what removed the factory-inducef roll to the right?
May the 4's be with you/ Jörgen
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Collin
General
Gender: Male
Location: McMinnville. Oregon
Registered: Oct 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 711
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Posted Saturday, September 21, 2013 @ 08:45 PM
Hi Dann,
Bill told me you flew your RF4. That is great. I knew you would like!
Collin
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JamesB
First Sergeant
Gender: Male
Location: Near Seattle, WA; USA
Registered: Oct 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 257
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Posted Sunday, September 22, 2013 @ 10:39 AM
Congratulations! Looks great. Beautiful area to fly in.
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Markku
Master Sergeant
Gender: Male
Location: Kouvola, Finland, EFWB
Registered: Oct 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 167
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Posted Monday, September 23, 2013 @ 03:49 AM
Hi Dann
Congratulations for having one reborn Fournier airborne, I hope I can add one more to that list next summer.
Markku
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Donald
Command Sergeant Major
Gender: Male
Location: Scotland
Registered: Jan 2007
Status: Offline
Posts: 489
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Posted Monday, September 23, 2013 @ 02:59 PM
Congratulations. Looks great and your location is lovely too.
Donald
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jb92563
Second Lieutenant
Gender: Male
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA, USA
Registered: Mar 2007
Status: Offline
Posts: 583
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Posted Tuesday, September 24, 2013 @ 03:18 PM
Wooohooo Dan!
Thats Great news, happy you finally have a taste of all your diligent and hard work.
Now you can start the fun part where you take the skies in your area and start getting accustomed to all the enjoyable traits.
Fine tuning and tinkering is more fun than repairing and building in my opinion.
-------------------- Ray
RF4D #4057 N-1771 Rectimo 1400cc
http://picasaweb.google.com/jb92563/FournierRF4D
http://www.touringmotorgliders.org
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dannparks
Sergeant Major
Gender: Male
Location: Parkside Airpark, Battle Ground, WA
Registered: Oct 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 391
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Posted Sunday, October 6, 2013 @ 05:03 PM
Well, the rains have stopped for a while and I've been able to put about 5 hours on it so far. And so far everything is working quite well. I'm flaring a bit too high and still trying to get the right combination of speed and spoilers to make arrivals a little less abrupt. The springs are earning their keep.
Engine is running well. Temps are way cool and I may need to block off the oil cooler when the ambient temps are this cold. Prop seems to be pitched perfectly.
I tried to get some basic performance figures, but just discovered that the airspeed may be off, so I'll get that sorted before I post any numbers. There is also a lot of annoying alternator or ignition noise in the radio. Any ideas on that? I'll be putting together a full report on the rebuild and mods outcome when I get more time on it.
It's great fun to fly, but the foam rubber I have for a temporary seat is painful after about 30 minutes. I flew it over to Oregon Aero for fitting for a custom seat. Should be ready in a couple of weeks. Their seats are incredible comfortable and they'll now have a pattern for a RF4D if others want one.
A beautiful, clear day. Mt St Helens and Mt Reiner in the background. Thanks again for everyone's help on the project.
-------------------- Dann Parks • RF4D #4051 N2188 • now flying!
Pictures at: https://picasaweb.google.com/111628310900713778468/RF4D_N2188?noredirect=1
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Bob Grimstead
Captain
Gender: Male
Location: Perth, Western Australia or West Sussex, England
Registered: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 2029
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Posted Sunday, October 6, 2013 @ 05:44 PM
Hey Dann, Magnificent photos of a beautiful airplane.
...and that one with Mt St Helens in the background reminds me of our very happy days in the Spring & Summer of 1988 when we flew our Champs all around those parts, plus around Mt Ranier and over and through the still-smoking crater of Mt St H.
Back then we were based at Snohomish & Reinig Field.
Wow, was that a quarter of a century ago?
Still, flying Fourniers makes you feel young.
I wish you very many very happy hours in N2188.
Yours, Bob
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D. Porter
Sergeant First Class
Gender: Male
Location: Ventura, CA
Registered: Apr 2012
Status: Offline
Posts: 84
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Posted Sunday, October 6, 2013 @ 05:46 PM
Quote: | | Originally posted by dannparks There is also a lot of annoying alternator or ignition noise in the radio. Any ideas on that? |
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Is the magneto P-lead shielded and the shield grounded only at the magneto end? That was the problem I had with ignition noise.
You could also disconnect the antenna to determine if the noise is coming in via power or antenna.
Quote: | | Originally posted by dannparks It's great fun to fly, but the foam rubber I have for a temporary seat is painful after about 30 minutes. I flew it over to Oregon Aero for fitting for a custom seat. Should be ready in a couple of weeks. Their seats are incredible comfortable and they'll now have a pattern for a RF4D if others want one.
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Thanks for the tip on the OA seat. Bruce's Aircraft Covers now has my pattern for an RF4 canopy cover, just needs fine tuning for your vents, antennas, etc.
Congrats on the beautiful rebuild job!
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Bob Grimstead
Captain
Gender: Male
Location: Perth, Western Australia or West Sussex, England
Registered: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 2029
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Posted Sunday, October 6, 2013 @ 05:57 PM
Hi again Dann,
Battle Ground Airport looks such a lovely place.
When you have time, could you perhaps post some photos on the 'Where do you fly from' thread?
I know it's not really the best time of year there, but some air-to-ground shots would be great.
Yours, Bob
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