gitmo234

Not meaning to go quiet on this. My schedule is just pretty crazy. I've gotten a few PMs from others too with what their problem is and how they handle it. My local shop recommended a ground test of full takeoff power for about 5 seconds or so and then re-try. If the mag check fails again its likely a mag problem. if it doesnt fail then its likely a plug. I'm going to dig in my logbooks for mag hours. I'm familiar enough with my engine monitor to speak about it but will snap a picture next time I'm running it up. #2 always seems to be a bit lower though.

I’m probably going to do both. Time is an issue because as of right now I’m commuting (sometimes by air) from PA to DC until I move. That leaves little free time

Food for thought. I know for a fact my flare has been a high. I've been worried about the nose gear and giving it the 172 size flare.

I actually would like that. I'm having my plugs and/or mags looked at this week. It *seems* okay to fly after a 10 minute run up to get the mag check to pass, but im not confident others would be okay in it. What I really need is refining. I can land an airplane. What I'm not good is the art of it all... managing fuel, trimming it out just right, and all the other smaller things that come together that make the difference between okay and good, and from good to great

Well, its definitely a site picture issue, or at least thats part of it. I fly my bird every day for my commute into DC. The airfield I land on there is flat. I've made some landings elsewhere too. Always nice. I bounced her again the other night and got out of dodge. That was rough. 2x go rounds because she just didnt want to get down. Seemed a little low so I added a few seconds of power on final and just couldnt get it low enough. Go around...go around. Third attempt....bounce....bounce...go around. Fourth attempt was ugly but successful.

Landing thread aside, I’ve got a new issue. Rough mag check, dramatic drop, followed by a backfire on my left mag. I lean it out, play with it for >5 but <10 minutes and it will check fine. Check again is hit or miss, lean again and it will check fine, at the same time my fuel flow analyzer sometimes takes a tap or two on the screen to come on. May or may not be related. im hoping it’s a bad plug and that’s it. I lean on the ground. Any thoughts? It does the same on a pre shutdown mag check

Go around will be the new standard. I’d like to caveat this with the fact that a passenger would have slep through my last two landings

Gents, i was tricked by smooth air today. Landed around 7pm eastern and it was glass coming in. With it being so nice and soft I paid a little less attention to speed and flared a bit to high. I was looking at the runway ahead of me (which angled up) vs where I was. I bounced her 3 times. bounce 1= rear wheels bounced 2 = rear then the nose gave it some throttle (a practice from my 172 on one bounce) when I started to go nose down bounce 3 = rear wheels but very low followed by a landing. Maybe 6 inches it seemed. A visual inspection after showed no damage to any of the gears and there was no prop strike. The bounces weren’t hard either. Definelty a bounce but not a jolt to the body. posting this for a couple of reasons. This was a horrible landing and when I screw it up like that it bothers me so I’ll post to get it off my chest and pledge next time just to go around. That was the dumbest part of all of it. Why I didn’t? I have no idea. Finally, with no visual damage, no wobbling, strange noises or anything from the gear on taxi, is there anything I should be concerned about (other than not going around)

Thanks! What you said makes sense. I’ve got a paved space too. a couple of factors worked against me. 1) new to me airplane, 2) new complex sign off, 3) new airport, 4) new to flying into the Frz. It all added up to some nervousness. Combine that with a shorter field and some decent ground swells and it made for a rougher but okay landing. I came in via whino under the bravo and I think I’ll stick with that. Coming out today for the flight home was a different story. Smooth as can be. My first really really good landing. If I had a passenger that was sleeping, they would have stayed asleep. Now I’m looking forward to getting to the point where I can really start refining the operation, vs just gaining confidence and flying it. The commute is so much better via the air!!

Ps - the nerves, newness and new airfield all added up to a landing that was more like a 2 foot drop. Ugly but effective

Well, I broke the FRZ today... legally. I have a new job in Arlington and until I can move, my plan is to commute via air to Potomac and use a rental car I’ll leave waiting for me. It was nerve racking simply because I’m still getting comfortable with my new bird, but at the same time it was super easy. I recommend Potomac airfield and crew as well. Simply great to work with.

Sorry man, I didnt mean it to sound like I was coming down on you. I was sympathetic. My apologies

I had something similar go on at POA. Although not related to an estate. I found an airplane I thought was a steal. I posted about it, but didn't post the N#. I was looking for insight/thoughts/comments. I got a few of value (I immediately disregard the extreme positive or the "end of the world" comments) but on the negative side, what I got was people pretending to ask questions about it (where's it at, have you planned to fly it home), etc to get enough details so they could try and steal the deal. They didn't steal the deal but they did drive the price up. Total newbie to flying and trying to make my first purchase.... asked for friendly advice. That was a mistake that probably cost me a couple grand. I figured it out when suddenly the seller became unwilling to negotiate because of several other offers, and then of course they told me the put in offers. Wont do that again.

Great, thanks. Lots to look at. This could be a combo of a lot. New oil change after sitting awhile + not being run after and sitting awhile + not being level + high angle of attack. We were climbing out at 25/2500 so lower setting but at 110 mph IAS I was getting about 1k feet per minute sometimes. My plan is to wipe it down, run it some more, take it easy on climb AOA, check it a while and develop the actual "pattern of life" or "pattern of oil" before I get too worried. For good measure I may remove a cowling just to make sure it doesn't look like an engine murder scene.

I’m thinking this is the answer for now. i can’t find the thread you mentioned. Next week I’m due to start making my commute to DC by air when VFR. I’ll whipe it down and observe

This could be part of the case. Oil was changed and it hasn't been run since until I started it up for the cross country

I could definitely see that being a problem. I also have one cylinder with <100 hours on it and one with about 110 hours.

I cant seem to find an entry on extended flight. I did find the engine manual itself which says the oil consumption is under the max allowable, but that's not entirely helpful either.

First stop was 6, but that was after 90 minutes only. The second stop it appeared to be 6 or slightly lower, but it was night, and the oil was so clear/new looking that it was hard to tell and we weren't sitting long enough for the oil to collect again to get an accurate reading. It was a very quick refuel, oil check, and get in the air to try and get back before midnight

Thanks, I'll double check all that info. Oil was changed in April but it hasn't flown since then (I bought it in April while I was out of the country). I would expect some longer duration flight to burn some oil.

As some of you know I recently acquired a 66 E model. Sunday I flew it from KOWP to 58M which ended up being two stops and about 8 to 8.5 hours of flight time. Prior to flight I checked the oil and it was at 6 quarts. Yesterday I went to the airport to do some pattern work and checked the oil in preflight and it was just a touch below 4. There was some oil below the air intake and down the underside of the engine cowling. I'm wondering if this rate is normal for a long cross country, and maybe I had some venting along the way too. Any thoughts?

6 quarts to both your questions

I may have an oil leak. Checked out preflight yesterday, logged 8.5 hours coming back, and it had burned just over 2 quarts, and some of it was just below the air intake filter. Filled it up and took it up for some pattern work. Will check levels next time

Short answer: NO! If he's bitten snake-bitten by a pre-buy that means something was wrong.

That damage should have buffed out