The day finally arrived on Saturday Sept 26. I flew my intended first flight route in the afternoon in the Cessna 170 to check conditions and winds, All looked good. My chase plane and pilot arrived at 4 PM and all was ready. I had a Go Pro strapped to my helmet and an onboard video camera on the top of the vertical stab. My goal was to climb out to 3,000 feet, assure all was stable and not spewing any fluids or smoke. Set up a 75% power setting to help seat the new piston rings to cylinder walls. It would require engine rpm at 2500 for most of the flight. My ground crew and chase plane were ready (Cessna 185). At approximately 4:15 I started the engine and taxied to the departure end, pre take off checks complete, taxi into position, chase plane positioned on my left would take off from the grass as soon as I applied power. Full throttle, keep it straight and let it fly off. Lift off smooth now look for 700 feet before making a turn, 700 feet start left turn and climb, keep speed around 100-110 in climb for best cooling. Another left turn and flying downwind climbing, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 level here. Change frequencies for air to air communications with chase plane. All looks good behind me no fluids no smoke. Aircraft stable engine indications normal. Set up cruise climb to 3,000 feet leaving the chase plane. Speed now up to 150 and POP! The engine oil door on the top cowling right in front of the wind screen popped open in flight but is staying put not buzzing around like it wants to get ripped off. Advise chase plane and he asks if we should abort. No it looks like it will be fine just sitting there open. I backed off a little on power running about 2350 RPM. The airplane starts to buck a little like it is struggling a little. Whats going on all cockpit indications look normal, look out at the wings, Holy **** the flaps have fully deployed. Quickly get to the up switch and get the flaps up. They come up to fully retracted position and the airplane likes that. Max flap deployment speed is 100 and that was at about 150. Okay make a note, my hi-tech take care of its self flap system is going to be changed. It?s located next to the throttle on the left console and I must have rested my left hand there next to the throttle and activated it. I will change to a simple toggle. Okay at the farthest from the home airport now in a big 25 mile circle, turn back towards the home airport and pick up the chase plane again. RPM get it up closer to 2500 and the speed is now 175 to 180 mph. This sucker is FAST. And that?s with no landing gear fairings and wheel pants, add another 15 % onto top speed when those are installed. Back over head of home airport 3500 feet, make a turn for a second lap. Everything normal. Second 25 mile lap goes uneventful and soon closing in on home airport again. Chase plane now on my right and will pass below and to my left as I slow the airplane for slow flight maneuvers prior to first landing. Chase plane gets some close up air to air shots and returns to home airport to land prior to me. Airplane handles fine at approach speeds full flaps (intentionally). Clean it up and descend for pattern entry. Down to 1000 feet in the pattern, slowed to 125 in pattern, abeam touch down reduce power, trim with flaps, final 85, a little low add a bit of power, okay got it made now over the fence, land on the grass as it is a little more forgiving than the pavement, throttle closed, get closer, level, slower, nose up, a little more, keep it straight winds not a factor, TOUCHDOWN watch roll out keep it straight no brakes just yet. Ok add some braking action, you got it, turn 180 on the grass and taxi back for the reception group gathered to witness. Canopy open, big GRIN. Success.
Mike Seager had suggested 50 lbs of ballast in the rear baggage compartment and that put the CG exactly in the center of the envelope. The airplane handled really sweet. Touchdown was a nearly perfect 3 point with little bounce.
My son took all the onboard video and still shots taken and combined into a 13 minute video production. Its cool but big, over 1 GB. If I can figure out how to share I will post a link. It was a great day and a great flight.
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Mike Seager had suggested 50 lbs of ballast in the rear baggage compartment and that put the CG exactly in the center of the envelope. The airplane handled really sweet. Touchdown was a nearly perfect 3 point with little bounce.
My son took all the onboard video and still shots taken and combined into a 13 minute video production. Its cool but big, over 1 GB. If I can figure out how to share I will post a link. It was a great day and a great flight.