Guys ,
Just to pas on a few things from the past week. I have been doing some
flying this week. I have put a little over 4 hours on 357CJ. The engine
continues to run well. I have been using a Sensenich 56x58 loaned to me
by Dan Weseman. The prop has almost identical performance to the 58 x 64
Sterba that I have but is smoother in operation, a little quieter, and
the gyroscopic loads are noticeably less by the amount of rudder needed.
I have been running full throttle, turning 3350 rpm which yields between
165-170 mph indicated depending on altitude and air density. (I have not
done any corrections) The ASI has been right on with many Gps checks.
I have been just getting used to setting the plane up for normal
flight conditions such as climb, cruise and descent. The climb is still
around 1300/min at 2900 rpm and 80 mph. A cruise climb is a pretty
reliable 700/min at 135mph. I did a full power slow decent this morning
when it was perfectly smooth and had a steady 190mph at 3500 rpm. (that
was way cool) Still had all the parts together, no vibrations no
indication of flutter or any other trouble. This was a straight ahead
decent (no turns).
The other day I took the chance and tried some slips on approach.
I was very pleasantly surprised how well the KR2S behaved. When the slip
was initiated it seemed to lock on to the position and held steady and
smooth until I kicked it straight for landing at the end of the runway.
I did venture away from home on Friday. I flew west from
Allentown(yea, the one in the song) at 165 indicated and the GPS showing
152 to 158 ground speed. I basically hoped from airport to airport,
zigzagging my way west staying within 5 or 6 miles of each one. It was
neat seeing the name come up on the GPS as I approached them. I turned
towards one that was maybe 10 miles to the north and restricted came up.
I turned tail quick there. I never got close but I also knew that I was
already a couple miles past my 50 mile radius. I pulled up the menu and
located my home port and punched in direct to and got a dotted line
straight home and it said that I was 48.5 miles out. Ground speed had
jumped to 185 and it seemed like I was on approach way to quick. The
engine ran great. I leaned out for exhaust temps around 1350 deg.
I have also recently hooked up the cabin heat. i don't have the
fancy spring wrapped around the pipes, just the heat muff ducted to the
cabin heat valve. It does not get hot but just nice and comfortably warm.
I have been chasing an oil pressure problem that may not even be
a problem. I posted the other day about removing the oil pressure
regulator piston which I did and reinstalled. It seems to be working
correct. I have changed a couple other things that may have bearing on
the pressure. The prop has been changed and the associated increase in
rpm's. The oil cooler was changed from the 12 fin to the folded fin 4
plate. That may be more restrictive.(yes I'm positive it is clean inside)
As a reminder I am running the 3100cc with the high volume oil pump.
Today I had pressure up in the upper 50's and even spikes to 62#'s.
Before I started changing things the high was 48# and spikes to 52#. Any
comments are welcome.
My landings are getting better and the plane is performing well.
I have started practicing craving steep turns and some in general fun
flying. I try to do some kind of test on each flight with one of the long
term test being the effect of the header tank on CG and exploring the
range of the trim tab. I want to know this information completely to
manage the weight and balance.
To date 16 1/2 hours and loving it (most of the time) ;-)
Joe Horton, Coopersburg, PA.
[email protected]
