Standard Pilot Blog

 Friends, there's some honesty buried in here as it relates to experimental aircraft. Read it all and share freely.

Squawk & Resolutions on N318KW

1. Brake Pedals in-op. Resolution: add 1" spacer to brake pedal. Permanent solution; works well.
2. One of the tires is low on air. Resolution: add air.
3. Right brake in-op. Resolution: bleed brakes.
4. Right brake still in-op, next day. Resolution: bleed brakes using the correct procedure after reviewing youtube video on the topic.
5. Brake line leaks: Resolution: tighten fittings.
6. Braking action still poor: Resolution: brake fluid probably on brake pads / discs. Use brakes to refinish pads. Braking action now OK. Note: I have dual caliper brakes and they are mandatory for large tires. A single caliper brake wouldn't work.
7. Elevator range of motion incorrect. Resolution: adjust all fittings so that up and down are balanced. There are several points of adjustment affecting this from the push-pull fittings, the location of the push-pull collars, inside-cabin adjustments, etc.
8. One of the tires is low on air. Resolution: add air.
9. Discovered critical bolt installed upside down in elevator reverser fitting. Bolt also was loose with standard hex nut. Loss of bolt would cause loss of control. Resolution: install bolt correctly, with nyLoc nut. Death averted. Question: how did everyone miss this?
10. On first flight, aircraft rolls left tendency. Resolution: adjust stick position via pushrod to aileron mixer.
11. On first flight, aircraft has heavy elevator response. Resolution: add fixed trim tabs to elevator. Final resolution: in-flight adjustable elevator trim tab.
12. In cruise, aircraft yaws left. Resolution: add trim tab to left aileron.
13. On takeoff, quick application of full power causes aircraft to turn left REALLY QUICKLY. Resolutions: a) improve pilot skill b) don't do that c) resolve to use less powerful engine d) use full!!!!! right rudder. In the spirit of Draco, for crying out loud, your skill level needs to match the airplane and the powerplant. You can't jump into this airplane and expect it to fly you. You will have to fly it while taking off and even in ground roll, or you'll have an accident.
14. Long main gear is chattering. Potential resolutions: add shock absorbers, and yes, I am planning to do this. Meanwhile, every landing is best performed to 3 point and full stall. Don't even consider a wheel landing. I will follow up with a builder alert after I install shock absorbers.
15. Oil leak as evidenced by small puddle on floor of hangar. Resolution: temperature sensor was installed without teflon tape.
16. Oil leak as evidenced by even smaller puddle on floor of hangar. Resolution: pressure sensor was installed without teflon tape.
17. Airspeed Indicator possibly not functional at low airspeeds, due to high angle of attack. Resolution: smile and enjoy the slow airspeeds. Learn how to fly using butt feedback, not instrument feedback. This airplane will love you, if you give it the chance.
18. Yaw oscillation in cruise. This happens only when: a) cruise speed b) feet not on rudder pedals c) turbulence. The plane will *slowly* start to yaw left and then right, kind of like an old fashioned v-tail bonanza. Resolution: a) keep feet on rudder pedals -or- b) add rudder tension spring. You may notice that in yesterday's video posted here, there was no evidence of this. Seriously, the rudder tension spring is the solution.
19. Pitch oscillation in turbulence. This never happened in N3748, but I have seen some evidence here in N318KW. The reason is simple: the elevator on this plane is heavier, so that a gust acceleration upward causes the mass of the elevator to go downward. This is a precursor to flutter. Resolution: I will adding mass balance weights to the elevator. I will follow up with a builder alert on Chipper Builder.
20. Out of an abundance of caution, I am planning to add vertical stabilizer flying wires, which N3748 had but N318KW does not. Resolution: add flying wires. I will follow up with a builder alert on Chipper Builder.
21. Windshield cracked. Resolution: performed airworthy windshield repair. Longer term resolution: under thought now.
22. One of the tires is low on air. Resolution: add air.
23. Tailwheel steering in-op. Everything you see me doing to date has been done without any tailwheel steering whatsoever. I've gotten OK learning to feel the airplane, rudder, brakes, power and to taxi with confidence, without a steerable tailwheel. Resolution: need to install tailwheel steering.?!