N3XH Phase 1 Flight Testing

[rodsmith]

The extra time I spent insuring the rings were seated paid off. I was going to settle for 8 hrs/quart before talking to my tech counselor. Took several more hours and lots of fuel to get there before completing the testing. Finally had to add a quart at 21 hrs after my change to Phillips Victory. Determined that the correct starting oil level for my engine is 9 quarts. I started at 10 and it was down to 9 in 1 1/2 hours, another 21 hours to 8 quarts. My Maule would quickly dispose of any oil above 8 quarts. The O-540J engines have a different sump design,

[rodsmith]

Completed another test this morning, one that is not in the test book. I wanted to determine the service ceiling for my airplane. I borrowed an oxygen set up for the test and was able to climb to 17,200, could have probably made it to 17,500 but the climb rate got real slow there. If I understand standard temp calculations, the temp at that altitude (27F) was 30 deg F above standard. Cruising at 17,000, MP was 15.8, 2200 rpm, 53% power so about 159HP, indicated airspeed 98kt, true airspeed 130kt., fuel flow 8.8 gph. I also had a cheap pulse oximeter to play with. Resting O2 on the ground at 6500 98%. Started O2 at 14000' 94%. Took off the oxygen at 17000, O2 bottomed at 83% within a couple minutes. One of my goals was to determine if I should get an O2 setup. I'm thinking not when I can cross the rockies at 12000'. Would be rare to need to go higher, and I definetly won't be flying over the mountains at night. I need to consider passengers though. My wife got a little light headed while 4-wheeling last week, at 12'800 on Engineer pass.

[TLyon]

My 2c from flying the RV around is that a little portable setup is nice. Even in the 10-12k range the wife and I both feel better and less fatigued with a little oxygen after a couple hours up there. And sometimes a couple 1000’ extra can get you significantly smoother air. Not as much fun as being down low but nice to have options.