Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 04:23 PM
I was taking the RF4D for a shakedown flight to see whether I wanted to take it or the Grob 109 to the motorglider flyin in Minden, NV this friday.
(to make a long story shorter, I decided on the Grob this time due to a few maintenance items I wanted fixed on the RF4D before taking it into potential rotor and very strong lift at Minden)
Its a 400 mile trip across southern California and up the lee side of the Sierra Mountains.
The highest ground elevation on the trip is ~6500, with a ridge behind it that I need to clear above its crest at ~9500'MSL, before descending into the Minden Valley.
So I took my fournier up to 12,000 msl and noted it took 30 minutes to climb the 10,750' for an average climb rate of 358'/min at around 60 mph at full throttle, 2900 rpm.
I took off at the 1250' field elevation and was achieving about 550'/min climb rate at about 60 mph that gradually decreased to about 8,000 msl as rpms had also dropped by 100 at that altitude to 2800rpm.
Having an Aerocarb on my engine and CHT's I leaned a bit and got back my 100 rpm with CHT's rising from 360 F to 410 F.
My climb at 12,000' MSL was stopped while still getting ~260'/min.
The leveling to a zero climb rate at 12,000' MSL produced 3400 rpm straight and level full throttle, CHT 350 F at 100 mph indicated and 98mph via GPS.
I am beginning to favor the Aerocarb much more these days as once you learn how to use it properly without flooding, leaking etc it provides some nice benefits.
I have not had so much as a glitch with the engine/carb combination since learning how to use it properly.
I have even been hand propping the engine since my battery has seemed to loose some of its kick lately.
Its time for an Odessy Battery.....best thing to happen to batteries in a long time.
If you have never tried one, the benefits over a regular lead or AGM cell is remarkable.
It has the unique ability to be completely discharged flat for weeks and then recharged and brought back to life.
It will also take a high charge rate without harm so an out of spec alternator will not damage or cook it.
Its best feature is that the rate of electrical discharge flow is very high and your starter will kick over the engine like its on steroids.
Its also lighter and smaller than comparable capacity AGM/Lead batteries.
Highly recommended!
[Edit by jb92563 on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 04:23 PM]
--------------------
