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Stuart Parker
Jul 21, 2023
In Landing and Flying
After nearly a year and many flights, I am yet to find a reliable, repeatable cold start procedure for my carburetted F23.
Warm starts are fine- crack the throttle a bit, no choke, and it fires within a couple of seconds cranking.
But cold starts are still a mission-
My routine is usually squeeze bulb until I feel back pressure to ensure the carb bowls are full; throttle at idle; choke on; mags on; and crank.
Very occasionally OK, but most times I need 5-10 x 5 second sessions of cranking with/without choke, various throttle settings; and when it fires definitely requires throttle and some choke for about 5-10 seconds to settle it at about 2000rpm for warm-up.
That seeems to indicate not enough priming.
What procedure/tricks do you guys have for starting?
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Stuart Parker
Apr 28, 2023
In Hirth Engine Maintenance
Aircraft: Fusioncopter JK-2 Nano Serial no: FCG014 Engine: Hirth F23 Serial no:MO-01000570 TIS: 25 hours History: On pre-flight run-up checks, one ignition was found to be inoperative. Analysis: One ignition kill wire was permanently grounded. Traced to the 3PDT ignition master switch- one pole permanently made irrespective of switch position. Switch was disassembled and one pole rocker was found welded in the made position. The other ignition kill pole rocker also showed signs of arcing. The switch is rated at 2A/260VAC- but the ignition circuit generates voltages well in excess of that. The failure mode is most likely arcing/welding at the moment just prior to the switch closure to kill the ignition. Corrective action: The switch was replaced with the same type as an interim fix until a higher rated compatible switch is found. Recommend that Fusioncopter upgrade the switch rating.
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Stuart Parker
Feb 18, 2023
In Landing and Flying
A short flight in my Nano to the summit of Mt Pirongia. 3000ft over 'tiger country'- the pilot knows that but the trusty little gyro chugs along. I tried a 2000ft+ vertical descent, but held a bit of power and forward speed to avoid overcooling the engine and giving some rudder authority. Editing still could be tighter, but I like to review engine & flight data through the flight- particularly pre-rotate and takeoff.
https://youtu.be/jgCqKkZtKI8
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Stuart Parker
Feb 06, 2023
In Hirth Engine Maintenance
After a flight yesterday I noticed I was missing one air filter. It apparently happened in flight but fortunately no marks on the prop or the tailplane. Sometimes the F23 does a bit of a shake, rattle and roll on start-up until it clears its throat, which could casue the filter to 'walk' over time. My old trike air filters had a tab on the filter that allowed you to safety wire it to the carb- good idea in a pusher! I will be safetying my filters.
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Stuart Parker
Nov 24, 2022
In Landing and Flying
Just a heads up re fuel level indication- The capacitive probe runs down the tank right by the fuel filler. So when you are filling the tank it is possible to 'wet' the probe and get an incorrect high/full fuel indication. It normally goes away after a few minutes as the probe drains/dries. It can also read high from fuel sloshing from taxiing over rough ground. It is possible this depends on the fuel and oil used- I am using non-laced 95 with Castrol TTS (aka Power1 2T) at 50:1. Moral of the story is to never trust a fuel level indication without verifying by sighting the tank level through the seat back inspection holes, and a good idea to mark the tank levels there in tail-down attitude.
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Stuart Parker
Oct 11, 2022
In Landing and Flying
Trying out camera siting and editing- a bit amateurish and not tightly edited, but OK for a first pass. Not sure why the audio wasn't captured. Drop box link- https://www.dropbox.com/s/yigqy1rktdvrjaq/11.10.22%20HOME-NZTE.mp4?dl=0 Camera is mounted up in the top right corner just above the master switch. This was about the best fixed place I could find- perhaps a chest mount may be better? Need to tilt the camera up more to get a better lookahead. Pity about my bald head- need to wear a cap!
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Stuart Parker
Jul 08, 2022
In General Maintenance
I didn't want to clutter up an otherwise very clean and tidy cockpit, so fitted my Icom A-16 radio in its charger base just forward of the stick, above the USB port. It is handy that this model will operate while under charge/external power. I drilled a hole in the charger baseplate to bring power and ground wires out the bottom- these tap into the USB power leads. PTT is routed up the centre of the stick to a pushbutton on the top. I kept with the stubby antenna- simpler and tidier than an external whip and groundplane, and quite adequate range for circuit and local traffic comms. The radio appears reasonably secure sitting in the charager base, but I may have to fit a restraining strap or similar if needed. I do like the fact it can be easily removed to be used as a hand-held if needed. Readable and within reach while strapped in in flight attitude!
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Stuart Parker
Oct 14, 2021
In NANO Announcements / Bulletins
I see Fusioncopter have released a video on facebook. Fusioncopter - Something for those who waiting for 50hp... That Hirth F23 sure sounds grunty, with plenty of power climbing away.
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Stuart Parker
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