wet and soggy Illinois

[StanFoster]

I flew for 2.5 hours today over nothing but mud soaked fields in Illinois. It was kind of a rush knowing that an engine out would be nothing but a big muddy recovery operation. We had over 4 inches and the ground just could not take it.

[StanFoster]

another muddy view

[GyroRon]

Wish we could get a inch or two of Rain. It is getting dry and dusty here and lot's of pollen from the spring flowers.

[StanFoster]

I am starting to get too complacent with my RAF. After all my engine outs with my other gyros...I always try to fly like that engine is going to quit the next minute. I was very confident scooting over all the mucky terrain for more than 2 hoursyesterday. I mentioned to my wife that my odds are good that I wont have an engine out for a long time...but I still fly like it will the next minute.

Yesterday I was shutting the throttle back and doing simulated high approaches to muddy fields...I would get down to just a few feet ....then power up and escaping the mud bogs that were just waiting to grap my wheels. What a rush. I was grinning the whole time.

[Harry_S.]

That's fun flyin' Stan.

I fly all the time with the thought of having an engine out. I'm always aware of an open or clear spot to get down on; a lingering mindset I guess, of many years ago when I had frequent MAC attacks.

I sometimes relax when flying my RAF and completely put trust in that EJ22 and go over lakes and/or large wooded areas. Close to 400 hrs. and not even a hic-cup. (Of course I'm up a couple k's just in case)

[Aussie_Paul]

Stan, if you have the carby on be very careful that you don't open the throttle at the bottom and find that you have nothing there.

Where I am, icing was a problem all the time. I eventually had some warm air entering the intake when the carb heat control was in the off position.

I must admit that this was with the earlier muffler and air filter body that used a K&N air filter outside the plastic housing. When I put the new muffler on and the round air filter inside the plastic housing I think that it was better, but I cannot remember as I put the F/I on soon after.

One thing that will happen with the later system is that the muffler will crack internally and allow exhaust gasses to enter the air filter even when the carby ice lever is in the cold position.

I had lost 100 engine rpm and was trying to work out why. Finally I checked the air filter and it was as black, and blocked. Took it out for a run and got my 100-rpm back. It was then that I decided on the F/I.

Hope this helps somebody.

That is why I love my fuel injection. 20% less fuel consumption, picked up 80 to 100 engine rpm and NO carby ice!!!!!

Not very often you get a win win win end result.

Aussie Paul.