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April 9, 2004 Day 269, 1882 hours Engine cooling in a rear-engine aircraft is more difficult than when the engine is in the front. A close-fitting fiberglass plenum forces pressurized air over the cylinders and heads. During this session, brackets and fittings were made to prevent the plenum from bowing away from the cylinders when pressurized. This picture shows the engine with the rear plenum section removed. |
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April 10, 2004 Day 270, 1884 hours This is the rear piece of the plenum removed from the engine section shown in the picture above. Brackets have been made on the top edge. |
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April 11, 2004 Day 270, 1884 hours The plenum section has now been re-installed after verifying that it has sufficient rigidity. The little pink slip in my hand is...you guessed it...the airworthiness certificate! Flight testing will begin next session, which is scheduled for the last part of May. |
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April 11, 2004 Day 271, 1885.5 hours Many aircraft in the hangar are nearing completion, and there will be a lot of flight activity in the near future. Several factory-built aircraft have also been completed, or are under construction. |