Taxi test
Primary goal for the day was to taxi the plane. I started off by installing a few bolts in the wing spar that showed up from Vans before I forgot about them. I then took the cowl down to the wash rack area. It had quite a bit of amine blush on it from when I applied a skim epoxy coat. Luckily, it washes right off. Back at the hangar, I started prepping the plane for taxiing. I attached the wing tips, removed all the junk from the wings, checked the engine over one more time, and then put the cowl on.
The engine started right up, but was idling way too high, around 1300 rpm. During the first engine start it was idling too low, so I gave the idle screw one turn. That was way too much. I had to shut down and completely remove the cowl. I backed the screw off about 2/3 turn. Put the cowl back on and fired her up again. Idle was 1100 rpm. I’m starting to think the low idle was an anomaly. It was probably set right to begin with. 1100 rpm was OK for taxiing, though. I carefully released the brakes, and she started moving forward. Turned the corner around the hangar and called up Renton Ground. Taxied a few thousand feet up the field dragging the brakes to break them in. Did a 180 and returned. Shut down the engine. Perfectly according to plan, except I was planning on doing a “mag” check. Next time.
I have to say the plane turns much easier than Mike Seager’s trainer RV-6A. Maybe because there’s less weight with just me in it and 1/2 fuel. Maybe I’m just used to differential braking now. I took several shots of the EMS, as it doesn’t seem to log anything until the airspeed gets above a threshold. Here’s a representative screen. Everything looks okie dokie.
I am totally stoked to fly this thing. FAA inspection is Tuesday. If all goes well, hopefully she’ll fly this week!!!