First Engine Startup

[Pilot4Life]

Jim, I can't comment on the ROTAX stuff, but great to hear that the first start was so successful and uneventful! Can't wait to read of the first flight and see the videos and/or pictures! Congratulations on this milestone!

[DesertFox4]

Congrats on the Rotax first start.
No break in procedure that I'm aware of other than keep it under 5800 revs
on take off and 5500 or under continuous operation.
At 5300 rpm static you may be able to redline or more in straight and level flight. Just keep an eye on your tach if first flight is at this setting.
With my 3 blade Patriot Ivo my full power ground static rpm is about 5080 rpms. I can get to 5700 in level flight.

I have my idle rpms set at about 1200 or so only so I can slow it down on final. With air loads on the prop it does not seem to affect gearbox noise.
***Just watch if you do set it around 1200 rpm that you don't pull hard on the throttle while on short final and kill the engine. Maybe 1400 or 1500 rpm would be a good starting point for first flights. Less likely to kill the engine on final.

I am very careful to keep it above 1500 on the ground so as to stay out of the gearbox chatter range.

[Slyfox]

I know, I know, I'm the odd ball. I have my rpm set to about 400. Ha Ha, I knew that would roll some eyes.

I like to dive down to the runway, and with any higher idle, she won't do it. do I run it there on the ground, no way. I have a friction lock throttle and I know right where to put it and know the feel and sound. What does an idle like that do for me. well it keeps me from coming in to fast for one. I'm a proponent of diving in to land, very fun. It also allows me to shut off the airplane with no kick back what so ever. when I go and shut my engine off I back the throttle all the way off and hit the mags off. nice smooth shut off. if any of you know what happens when this engine bucks and farts on shut off, you know when a smooth shut off happens, the carbs stay intacked.

Next is start up, with the throttle all the way off and crank it with the mags off for about 3 seconds and choke on will set you up for a nice start. Now all you have to do is turn the mags on and as soon as it hits advance the throttle to normal idle 1800, nice and smooth with no kick. again the carbs stay in place and don't fall off or crack the rubber in front of the carbs. I've been doing this for over 1000 hrs on the 912. works for me. My best advantage of the lower rpm is the ability to do short approaches and be able to control my speed. all I have to do is add just little throttle before touch down.

[jiott]

Thanks guys for all the good info.

Jim