MMorgan
Gold Supporter
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2003
- Messages
- 319
- Location
- Kaplan, LA.
- Aircraft
- Aviomania Sport, Bensen, Flight Design CTSW
- Total Flight Time
- 4000+
As most of you probably know, me and Mike Gaspard went to North Carolina last week to get this Bensen from Ron Awad. After a day of rest and a few days of work catch up, we started tinkering over the weekend.
Of course I let the expert (Mike Gaspard) fly it first. It flew well and after a few adjustments I got in it to do some high speed taxi and crow hopping. The large all flying rudder was giving me a little trouble at first (it was flying me instead of me flying it). After several high speed runs I went around the pattern and it felt fine.
I actually had to add weight to the nose because at 155lbs the nose wheel will barely stay down. Will probably move the axle back an inch or two to compensate.
We developed a pretty major oil leak on the valve cover so I changed the gasket today and that is resolved. The water temp is running too high (210-220 degrees) so we flushed the cooling system and added fresh Prestone. I installed a new thermostat and after todays flight it is still too high. I bought a new radiator cap but they gave me the wrong one so I will try that tomorrow. There is no pressure when the cap is removed so I'm hoping that is the problem.
My initial impressions after three flights is I like the machine alot. It is a very different feel than the Air Command and there is no pod. It is much more stable with the horizontal stab in the propwash and being a heavier machine.
Of course I let the expert (Mike Gaspard) fly it first. It flew well and after a few adjustments I got in it to do some high speed taxi and crow hopping. The large all flying rudder was giving me a little trouble at first (it was flying me instead of me flying it). After several high speed runs I went around the pattern and it felt fine.
I actually had to add weight to the nose because at 155lbs the nose wheel will barely stay down. Will probably move the axle back an inch or two to compensate.
We developed a pretty major oil leak on the valve cover so I changed the gasket today and that is resolved. The water temp is running too high (210-220 degrees) so we flushed the cooling system and added fresh Prestone. I installed a new thermostat and after todays flight it is still too high. I bought a new radiator cap but they gave me the wrong one so I will try that tomorrow. There is no pressure when the cap is removed so I'm hoping that is the problem.
My initial impressions after three flights is I like the machine alot. It is a very different feel than the Air Command and there is no pod. It is much more stable with the horizontal stab in the propwash and being a heavier machine.
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