I'm not an engineer or test pilot but I though some might find the following useful.

A friend of mine has a Lightning with a Jabiru/Bing installed.  His engine became erratic in cruise and even died when he pulled the throttle back.  He landed power on, on a long runway.  After much investigation he discovered that the balance tube between the intake plenum and the Bing carb had disconnected.  Reconnection solved his problem.

Moral of the story is:  secure that tube!

Views: 507

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

His must have popped of during cruise.  My story starts on the ground.  The connection at the Bing is to a very small stub fitting.  I have knocked it off several times while doing work around that area.  Once I knocked it off during my phase 1 flight test period, didn't know realize it, and went flying.  Nothing out of the ordinary showed up during the run-up, and initial take-off, but on climb-out, I certainly noticed the engine was not happy.  It was running rough, but running none the less.  I turned back into the pattern and was able to make an uneventful landing.  I checked undercowl and found this line popped off.  I reconnected it and flew again immediately with no further problems. 

 

Indeed, the moral of the story is:  secure that tube!

 

Dave

I used safety wire to secure each end of the tubing ... just don't over-tighten it and cut the tubing.

RSS

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
 

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...


Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith
:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.


Zenith Homecoming Tee:


Zenair Floats


Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz


Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2024   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service