Steve Thomas/Part 103 Ultralight PPC flight across America

Update March 12, 2005

Well folks, my luck is at least constant. :) This morning we got up bright and early and went to the airstrip. The wind was blowing cross wind again, but from the east and not too strong. I ran up the engine and did a good preflight, I thought. Part of my preflight inspection is to check the carburetor boot for cracks.

During the run up I noticed that the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) was exceeding the max of 1330 during the throttle range, so I lowered the clip in the carb to richen up the mixture and it seemed to be just right. I thought that a bit strange, since yesterday the EGT was good. It was close to the max yesterday though, and it was cooler this morning.

Next I setup for takeoff on the sand and gravel road strip and took off into about a 45 degree cross wind, and the Pup did very well. I made a nice climb out and then flew numerous times around a pattern while I checked out everything. The EGT remained in the safe zone, but it did get close to the max a time or two as I tried to get it to show me the hottest readings. The coolant head temperature (CHT) was also getting right up to the max allowed at 535 degrees on a sustained good climb, but not exceeding it. This had me a bit puzzled, but it seemed acceptable.

I did several touch and goes and low passes over the road to get use to the control of the Pup. It did just great! I really didn't want to do too many touch and goes though due to the sand blast that the prop was getting. After 30 minutes of that stuff and some level flying at cruise I landed with a slight 45 degree cross wind and downwind, so the wing over flew and landed beside the cart.

John and I were excited that finally the show was back on the road! We talked about resuming the flight early tomorrow morning and then Larry pulled up and we were all discussing the flight, etc. Before I bagged the wing I told them that I needed to do a thorough post flight inspection and I got busy checking every weldment and every tube. It was in good shape and everything looked perfect for resuming tomorrow.

I continued my post flight inspection and moved to checking the bolt on stuff and engine. That is when I got a big lump in my throat, then I got mad, and finally I think that I kicked a tire and said to the guys that we would be spending a few more days here in the valley of the sun. There was a very obvious split in the top of the boot/socket between the carburetor and the intake.

Immediately, I got on the phone and tried the Hirth distributor, but they were closed as it is Saturday. We found a dealer in Arizona, but he did not have any parts on hand for this engine. I will have to get on the phone first thing Monday morning and try to reach the distributor and get a couple of sockets and gaskets sent out overnight.

At least my luck has been good enough that I have caught everything before it became a danger or caused an accident so far. This could have happened during a long flight over the rugged country ahead and forced me to have to land without an engine in the middle of nowhere.

If the parts get here on Tuesday it will only take 10 minutes to install one and test run the engine. Then we can try to get started again on Wednesday morning, weather permitting. In the meantime John and I will just have to endure the warm and sunny torture of the Tucson area. :) I will also have time to add to the quickie updates from previous days. Here are a few photos that John Labonte took of the pup taking off and in flight.

Have a good one!
Steve

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Steve Thomas/Part 103 Ultralight PPC flight across America

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