Annual Flight Test

Time for the annual flight test .. a sort of normal flight and then a long climb up through 1,000, 2,000 to just over 3,000′ and time the climb

Getting about 500fpm and, at the top of the climb … decide to to the stall checks

A couple of reducing to tick over and holding back on the stick to get to the stall … slight buffet at around 40 and then slow mush at 35

Then … push the nose over and down to check VNE .. max descent speed … listed at 100mph … after a fair descent .. and no drama .. I chickened out at 95mph

Post the flight I thought it sensible to check for leaks and engine bits

On analysis I spotted a small smear on the outside of the rear left pushrod tube guide

After taking the rocker cover off I couldn’t really see anything obvious so rang Kev the specialist and opted to remove the head and check

On removal I could see small trace of oil on the lower bolt area .. 6 bolts hold the head in place

Removed and cleaned down with some wire wool which easily cleaned all the head faces and bolts and fins

Put it all back together … very careful to make sure no rubbers were nipped and rotated as the head was tightened down

Ground run and all CHTs spot on ! Great to get fix … flight test next

Reckon the problem was waiting 5 hours before first torque check.. so plan to torque check every flight or 1 hour for the first 5 hours