sbalmos
Well Known Member
This past Saturday afternoon, after 5 years and 9 months of building, I successfully managed to awaken my plane's engine from its 13-year slumber. She kicked and protested, wanting to go back to sleep twice. But the third time around, I got the gas-to-noise generator to stay up and going.
FIRST ENGINE START WAS A SUCCESS!!!!
For reference, it is a Lycoming IO-320-E2A, running the full EFII injection/ignition system, spinning a Catto 3-blade wind generator. The engine was overhauled by its previous owner between 2004 and 2006, and then put into storage. Needless to say, I was subconsciously a nervous wreck, deep down not knowing what to expect. I readily admit that once I had run up to 1800 RPM, saw the temps and oil readings were fine, I took a few seconds to just sit back and enjoy the wind and noise.
A thank you to my Dad for the videography, RV-14 builder Bill Schweinberg for a few checks on attempts 1 & 2, and then a major major thank you to RV builder extraordinaire Jon Thocker of Redline for doing the run-up walk-arounds once the engine cooperated on attempt 3. Jon just happened to be doing his usual biking around the airport Saturday afternoon when he stopped by while I was prepping for attempt 3.
Afterwards, more than anything, there was a huge sense of relief. Here on out, it's bug-fixing and finishing work. But now I know I have, in the most important mechanical sense, a working plane.
https://youtu.be/uZdtpZtS7LY
FIRST ENGINE START WAS A SUCCESS!!!!
For reference, it is a Lycoming IO-320-E2A, running the full EFII injection/ignition system, spinning a Catto 3-blade wind generator. The engine was overhauled by its previous owner between 2004 and 2006, and then put into storage. Needless to say, I was subconsciously a nervous wreck, deep down not knowing what to expect. I readily admit that once I had run up to 1800 RPM, saw the temps and oil readings were fine, I took a few seconds to just sit back and enjoy the wind and noise.
A thank you to my Dad for the videography, RV-14 builder Bill Schweinberg for a few checks on attempts 1 & 2, and then a major major thank you to RV builder extraordinaire Jon Thocker of Redline for doing the run-up walk-arounds once the engine cooperated on attempt 3. Jon just happened to be doing his usual biking around the airport Saturday afternoon when he stopped by while I was prepping for attempt 3.
Afterwards, more than anything, there was a huge sense of relief. Here on out, it's bug-fixing and finishing work. But now I know I have, in the most important mechanical sense, a working plane.
https://youtu.be/uZdtpZtS7LY
Last edited:
