Wind finally stopped.

I couldn't get on the blog for a while. The server wouldn't let me.
The wind has been blowing to 35 since we got home. I've mowed the lawn 3 times since.
I've been working on the maneuver bottoms with the Padre and things are starting to come together. With the lessening of the winds it's been spitting rain. I got in 4 good flights at the new school this morning between peroids of sprinkles. I installed a larger diameter needle valve to choke the venturi down to a more usable range. And that increased the fuel mileage a bit. I use 3 ounces instead of 3.25 to get the pattern in. I have some metal engine backplates coming as the stock ones are plastic and prone to leaking and cracking. The metal ones take up more room inside the crankcase which is better for power. Fox came up with the idea and calls them "Stuffer backplates". I'll start flying the large stab/elev. Twister and see how it goes.
I think I got the choke on the El Camino working right.

Windy trip.

All but one day in LA was windy. I did get the new plane assembled and flown. I figure it needs a bigger engine or just speed up the original. The tank works very well too. On the last day the winds abated and I got in some flights but now the winds were too light. I got good feed back from the flights to make some trim changes.
We got home around midnight and 36 degrees. The next day was windy. Today, Sat., was good to fly so after bringing the grandson home I went to the school and it was loaded with baseball people so I went to Oneco. I got in two flights with the Padre and was thinking on changing to longer lines when some thunder cought my attention. I hesitated a bit but the thunder continued so I packed up and headed for home. I had the El Camino and it got a bit wet but the wipers worked. I have to get the maneuver bottoms in check and will fly the Padre until I get it right. It's the oldest plane in the fleet now sporting a new thicker and larger stab./elev. and an OS .46. I re painted it for the third time too so it looks a little better. It is the best flying plane of the bunch.
The electric choke on the El Camino has been acting up lately. For some reason the high idle cam wont release. I didled with it a while back and made it worse. I re didled with it today and maybe made it better.

Cool and wet.

I've been to the club field and the school but the winds have been tricky at best. I did get some flightsin and did get to test one of the new tanks. It's labeled 180 cc and that equates to 6 ounces. I fliied one with water and dumped it into a measureing cup. 5 ounces on the nose. Probably 4.8 with the cap and tubing installed. Still that's more than enough for my engines. I sent a mailing tube to LA yesterday with a glow battery and two pieces of .032 wire for the hinges of the plane to be built. Today I sent the fuel tank I tested yesterday.
The river is barely in it's banks and I've been fishing twice with no luck.
I moved the El Camino into the middle bay, the truck outside on the cement pad and got the hot rod started. After moving several mowers, a shredder, a battery charger and a gas grill I was ready to move it. I slid the cover off from back to front and let it fall to the floor. It started right up and I started backing out when I heard a clunk. I got out and found the charger was in the way and got knocked over. I moved it again and backed all the way out. I put it in drive and started forward when I heard a ripping sound. The cover had cought on the license plate and followed me out and then I ran over it ripping it on the plate. I parked it in the drive way, left it running and washed it. Even with the cover it had a lot of dust on it. Anyway all is well and I will put the truck in the open bay when we leave next Monday.
I had flown the Lightning, which I re named Hobnob, for a few minutes a while back. I remember it flew wings level and turned pretty good. I took it to the school this morning and flew a test flight followed by a narrowing of the handle spacing. Then I put up a full pattern flight but the engine quit in the first loop of the last maneuver. I added more fuel this time and got in a whole pattern. The plane is very stable and turns on a dime. I made up a new set of lines for it when I got home and set up it's own handle.
I may have to mow the lawn tomorrow for the first time. Forecast winds are not good for flying but will be on Friday. Saturday I have to go to RI and get the cake for Easter dinner.

A little warmer.

I cleaned the leaves out of the lean-to and put air in the lawn tractor tires. I put the charger on the battery for a half hour too. Just after noon I hit the key and it started up. But something in the engine was banging something awful. I tried to turn the engine over by hand but it wouldn't go through top dead center. I pulled the spark plug out and hit the starter again to blow any liquid from the cylinder but there wasn't any. I started to remove the head and only broke one bolt which didn't hold anything important. The combustion chamber was loaded with carbon and a piece must have broke off doubling the thickness and interfeering with the piston. I cleaned both pieces and re assembled the engine which started and ran normally.I need to get tubes for the tires as they leak down fast.

A little warmer.

After the success with the Evo .36 I got in some trim flights. I put in one ounce of fuel and timed the run. 3 min. 15 sec. each for two runs. Now I got to thinking maybe I should put it in another plane. The ARF Nobler was sitting without an engine so I fitted the Evo where an OS .40 was. I took it and the PT-23 to the club field and it pulled the Nobler very well. The winds were kinda light but switching all over the place. Bumpy too. I got in a full pattern with the PT-23 and came home.

Test flight

I played in 3 horseshoe tournaments this season and lost first place 3 times because of ringer percentage. Twice I got second and today I went from bridesmaid to usher. When I got home I packed up two planes and went to the Sterling school. It was windy but I fueled the Evo .36 with 15% fuel and got in one flight. What a difference. The engine ran steady through the tank. I'm happy.

Finally figured it out.

The Evo .36 I got in the raffle last Oct. has not been running like it should. I changed tanks several times to no avail. I found seepage near the mounting lugs while the engine was running and discovered there wasn't a gasket under the rear cover. I made one up but the engine ran the same. I re read the instructions and installed a smaller venturi and found what I was looking for the nitro percentage of the fuel 5 to 10% it says. I put in 2 ounces of 15% and it purred like a kitten. Nice and steady rpm. Now if it ever stops snowing and the temps get into the 40's and the winds calm a bit I'll be able to test fly it.