It's been awhile since I posted an update. Sonex 1629 (N629SX) is slowly moving along in Phase 1 flight testing. Mike Farley and I planned to go up yeaterday but alas the Low IFR kept us grounded. We did pull along side the self serve fuel pump and take a side by side photo of our two birds.
While we waited to see if the weather would improve we got a treat and were able to look at the new HondaJet and Acura NSX (the Jet was staying overnight at KMRT for Honda family festival flyover). If you look carefully you can see my Sonex framed in the background!
Returned today after the rains past and the high pressure system is blowing through. Very beautiful day but air was getting bumpy by noon. Did a few test cards for best rate / angle of climb, stalls (power on/off), and decided to climb above the broken cloud layer to find some smooth and cool at at 6,000'.
Happy pilot!
Have been trying out some different headsets. Bought and returned a pair of Clarity Aloft's (they worked but not that well for me, couldnt find a comfortable comply ear piece). Mike is letting me try an older set of QT Halo's which worked very well for me today. For the first time I played music from my iPad through the MGL V6/music input. This is a nice feature, as you can adjust the music level separate from the active frequency level. When the V6 is receiving a transmitted signal it overrides the music.
As for Phase 1 testing:
- AeroVee is performing well. AeroInjector is tuned to a good mixture setting, temperatures are all staying well into the green levels.
- CHTs staying below 400 on climb and in the 340-365 range in cruise.
- EGTs in the 1130-1220 range between cruis and climbs.
- completed the 10 hour maintenance and haven't adjusted the aerocarb since hour 5
- Fuel burn is around 5.5 gph at fast cruise, 3-4 gph when staying in the pattern doing T&G's
- was able to get 800 fpm climb at 65 mph today (best angle of climb).
- Trim is about where it needs to be for flaps, rudder, and aielrons
- Manual drum brakes are barely adequate, and the disc brakes are on the short list for future upgrades.
- Koger sunshade is worth the price, and has made the summer flights halfway comfortable.
- Polishing still sucks, but it looks great when its done!
Today marked the completion of 12.7 hours of phase 1 testing. It's taking longer than I expected but I am trying to make every flight meaningful, and fly when the time and weather cooperate.
Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 12:53 pm
