The Plane Newsletter

December 2007 NEWSLETTER

NEXT CHAPTER MEETING December 6th (Thursday)

Come at 6:30 and Enjoy a Lagana Dinner With Us!

Meeting at 7:00P.M. AT Our Clubhouse (KELSO Hangar A7)

E.A.A. Chapter # 1111
Monthly Meeting Agenda
December 6th, 2007

Program: A profession Lancair builder & aerobatic pilot from North Planes, OR!

Leighten Maguels of North Plains , Ore. is going to be our guest speaker and maybe do some show and tell. Leighten is a professional Lancair builder and builds one right after the other. He is one of the most sought after builders of Lancairs. Lancair sends a lot of his customers to him. He knows fiberglass, systems, both fuel and electrical and engines installations. He is noted for building them fast and light, safe and strong He just finished a Legacy and it went to Ohio recently. He is building another Legacy for a Hollywood film person who is going to commute from Roseburg to L.A. with it. If the weather is good that night, ( ok ceilings etc. ) he will come with John Halley and his Lancair Legacy. Leighten built this one too.This is the one that Lancair had at their booth at Reno this year.. John is a ex carrier pilot and got certified to do a acrobatics routine in this Lancair. He took acrobatic training in the lancair from Wayne Hadley, one of the worlds best!! He is doing some acrobatics at shows etc. John just installed a full glass panel in this legacy. This is one of a few that has a 540 inch lycoming in it and has been blue printed and balanced etc. Lots of Horspower! Most Legacys have 550 inch Continentals in them. I talked to Dwight and he said we could put it in his hanger for show and tell. Thanks Dwight!!

Tech Report: Keep Cool & don't blow a gasket! (In other words, watch your oil Temperature!):

Controlling Oil Temperature in Your Engine

Over the years, I have read various flyers and new articles on the importance of controlling the engine oil temperature. These comments apply much the same, whether the engine is Lycoming or Continental. There may be a Franklin out there too, and same story for it.

So, what about just keeping the oil in the green arc on the gauge? That works, but staying too low in the green may mean that the condensation in the oil may not fully burn off, so with each use, the "water" remains in the engine.

The oil also remains more viscous or thick. That in turn takes a bit more horsepower to overcome due to the drag and it makes the oil pump work a little harder. At the auto store, maybe you have seen those plastic gears displayed with one gear in 90 weight the other in some synthetic. Sure enough, the gear in the 90 weight is much more resistant to moving as compared to the synthetic.

But, what about being on the high side of the green arc? There is nothing wrong with this as long as you know your gauge is accurate, and that you do not go into the red during an extended high power setting on a hot day.The benefit of running in the high green is better evaporation of the condensation products and a little more horsepower going to the prop and not the oil pump and drag due to viscosity. Of course hotter oil will result in lower oil pressure. As long as your oil pressure remains within your factory specs for idle and cruise, this should be OK.

Those of you with experiential aircraft should include oil temp monitoring as part of phase 1 test flying and control the oil temperature for best engine performance and life. Under the Experimental category, we have leeway to make these adjustments. In certified aircraft, the factory or engine manufacturers may have an approved oil cooler cover available for winter application. Consult your A&P or check with the factory.

Jerry Sorrell Chapter Tech Counselor

Notes from Last Meeting & an Important Item to Consider:

Webmaster Confession: So far I've been unable to open the minutes and suspect they were produced with Microsoft Vista (perhaps). However, we do have an important item of business to consider this meeting: The E board will propose that in addition to the yearly dues, that first time new members be assessed a one time $50 that will go towards our clubhouse expenses. This will require a chapter vote to accept or reject the proposal.

Our next chapter meeting is on Thursday, December 6th at 7:00p.m. at our Clubhouse at Kelso Hangar A7. Join us for dinner at 6:30!

Officers and Committee Chairpersons