WingnutWick
Well Known Member
Hello fellow RV-10ers
I recently closed on an RV-10. Pretty low hours (480) but hasn’t flown much since it’s build (2007). It especially hasn’t flown much in the last 4 years as the owner lived in Europe. Cylinders were removed and cam inspected due to sitting time - looked fine. It’s a nice build although fairly bare bones for a 10. Got it for a good price for a low hour 10 and plan to bring it into the “very nice” category over the next few years by upgrading the panel and interior and possibly a new paint job (though the current one isn’t all that bad). Did my first trip inter-state with it the other day and have a few things that came up from my initial flights:
1. Nose heavy with full flaps: I noticed that with full flaps on landing the plane is pretty nose heavy. In that I am exhausting my up trim throw and the nose will still track down when the stick is released. Reducing power on flare further exacerbates this making the force to hold a flare significant. I switched to landing with 3/4 flaps to help alleviate this. Is this standard for the RV-10 or do you think the trim isn’t set right? Do you all land with full flaps?
2. During the pre-buy inspection we never installed the cowling, engine bushings looked good though suspected some sag due to a little gap showing. After the 8 hours of flying I removed the cowling to inspect everything and noticed that there was rubbing on the lower cowling from the alternator that wasn’t there before. I am guessing this has come from engine sagging. So - do I add spacers, re torque, or just replace the bushings altogether? If I replace the bushings, what is recommended? How big of a job is that?
3. While a comfy ride, it didn’t have the harmonic purr that I like in cruise (it was very smooth on the descent with lower power). It sounded a bit like my girlfriend’s 6 which has clearance issues with the exhaust and the fuselage and which I think could also use new engine mount bushings. I am new to flying C/S RVs as our 6A and 8 are both FP so I am not sure what is normal but I’d really like a smooth, low vibration cruise experience. It's not terribly but not as smooth and quiet as I expected. Besides balancing the prop, I am curious if there may be other factors at play: 1. The above mentioned engine bushings 2. There is little to no clearance between the exhaust and then lower cowling (pics attached). I see there are what seems to be bracket mounts on the exhaust but they aren’t connected to anything - thoughts?
4. Runs hot: I typically do everything I can to keep my O-360 below 400 on the CHTs. With this one, operating ROP I will see 400-420 on most cylinders. LOP it will be below 400. Being new to the 540 - is this normal? Baffling looks ok - the black style but well cut. What do you all normally see ROP and LOP?
5. Performance: I cant get more than 2600 RPM with full prop - normal? I expected to see 2700. Again - I am new to this motor and C/S.
6. How do the top pin bends work with the screw bracket on the top cowling? See pic attached. I’m not quite sure how they are supposed to sit and interact with that plate.
7. Looking for suggestions on interior/panels. I think I saw a photo somewhere of bucket seats in the back, anyone doing this?
I am sure there will be a lot more questions to come but this is the install volley. As always, your wisdom and suggestions are very much appreciated!
Thank you!
I recently closed on an RV-10. Pretty low hours (480) but hasn’t flown much since it’s build (2007). It especially hasn’t flown much in the last 4 years as the owner lived in Europe. Cylinders were removed and cam inspected due to sitting time - looked fine. It’s a nice build although fairly bare bones for a 10. Got it for a good price for a low hour 10 and plan to bring it into the “very nice” category over the next few years by upgrading the panel and interior and possibly a new paint job (though the current one isn’t all that bad). Did my first trip inter-state with it the other day and have a few things that came up from my initial flights:
1. Nose heavy with full flaps: I noticed that with full flaps on landing the plane is pretty nose heavy. In that I am exhausting my up trim throw and the nose will still track down when the stick is released. Reducing power on flare further exacerbates this making the force to hold a flare significant. I switched to landing with 3/4 flaps to help alleviate this. Is this standard for the RV-10 or do you think the trim isn’t set right? Do you all land with full flaps?
2. During the pre-buy inspection we never installed the cowling, engine bushings looked good though suspected some sag due to a little gap showing. After the 8 hours of flying I removed the cowling to inspect everything and noticed that there was rubbing on the lower cowling from the alternator that wasn’t there before. I am guessing this has come from engine sagging. So - do I add spacers, re torque, or just replace the bushings altogether? If I replace the bushings, what is recommended? How big of a job is that?
3. While a comfy ride, it didn’t have the harmonic purr that I like in cruise (it was very smooth on the descent with lower power). It sounded a bit like my girlfriend’s 6 which has clearance issues with the exhaust and the fuselage and which I think could also use new engine mount bushings. I am new to flying C/S RVs as our 6A and 8 are both FP so I am not sure what is normal but I’d really like a smooth, low vibration cruise experience. It's not terribly but not as smooth and quiet as I expected. Besides balancing the prop, I am curious if there may be other factors at play: 1. The above mentioned engine bushings 2. There is little to no clearance between the exhaust and then lower cowling (pics attached). I see there are what seems to be bracket mounts on the exhaust but they aren’t connected to anything - thoughts?
4. Runs hot: I typically do everything I can to keep my O-360 below 400 on the CHTs. With this one, operating ROP I will see 400-420 on most cylinders. LOP it will be below 400. Being new to the 540 - is this normal? Baffling looks ok - the black style but well cut. What do you all normally see ROP and LOP?
5. Performance: I cant get more than 2600 RPM with full prop - normal? I expected to see 2700. Again - I am new to this motor and C/S.
6. How do the top pin bends work with the screw bracket on the top cowling? See pic attached. I’m not quite sure how they are supposed to sit and interact with that plate.
7. Looking for suggestions on interior/panels. I think I saw a photo somewhere of bucket seats in the back, anyone doing this?
I am sure there will be a lot more questions to come but this is the install volley. As always, your wisdom and suggestions are very much appreciated!
Thank you!