Performance
Brian, I haven't really sorted out the performance numbers yet, but I will tell you that the most I have seen in level flight is 174 knots indicated.
When I took it to Aerotronics to have the pitot static system certified, my (brand new) transponder needed an update from Garmin, and the autopilot had an internal air leak, so right now the plane has neither.
I just chased down two leaks in the pitot system, and I am waiting on the right combination of work and weather to get back to BIL. The pitot leaks may mean that my airspeed has been reading low.
The last time I flew I had the #2 EGT go 200 degrees low all of a sudden, so I blew out the injector, but I haven't run it since.
I am having trouble with CO in the cockpit while taxiing and slow flight, so I put on the aileron booties, seal up some wing root stuff. But the biggest leak was the gap right in the center rear of the canopy, between the canopy and the rail. Shoots cold air right onto the back of your neck. I couldn't figure out the "Bob Awesome" solution, so I put some improvised mold release compound (Boeshield) down on the rail and rear deck, locked the canopy down, and shot the gap full of silicone which I kept from running out with a piece of tape.
Well, I don't yet know how this is going to work, because after three days it still isn't cured enough for me to be comfortable opening the canopy! I put a 40 watt bulb on it last night, so hopefully that will speed up the curing process. Of course by the time I get it done it will probably be raining again.
I am not sure where I am at time wise, maybe 27 hours? It took be about 35 minutes to go from Bozeman to Billings BTW, that was nice!
Hans