The Road Back

[David Hoover]

Over the past few seasons a number of things (house addition a couple of years ago, built the big deck last summer, my wife's had two hip replacements etc. etc.) have precluded me getting in much flying time and I don't think that I have even a dozen flights in over the past three seasons.  Well, life seems to be settling down a bit; I rebuilt the fence that blew down in the big wind in the spring, my wife is getting around really well on her two new hips, the garden is in and growing so this morning I went flying.  Nothing fancy - three fairly short (about 4 1/2 minutes each) flights and all I did was some up and down and 'sort of' wingovers.  But I didn't get dizzy, I didn't fall down and I didn't bend anything.  It feels good, man, it feels real good.  My engine starting routine is a little rusty but that shouldn't take too long to get sorted out.  I feel that I'm on the road back.  Will I be able to get ready for the Southern Ontario Championships at the end of August?  Who knows?  But I'm sure going to give it a try.  Stay tuned.

It does look as if my tach is fried.  It gave me readings anywhere from about 3,500 rpm to over 12,000 on a prop that was probably turning in the 8,300 - 8,500 range.  Any suggestions for a decent tach that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

[Paul Taylor]

David,
Welcome back!!

Yea sometimes life gets in the way of flying.

As for a Tach... try Tower Hobbies. They have one for around 20 bucks. (US)

[Steve Helmick]

Ixnay on the Tower Hobby tachos. The Hanger 9 Mini Tach is easily the most popular around the NW, and for good reason. It works much better than the Tower and Hobbico units, and pretty close to my early TNC. I like to demonstrate mine by laying it on the ground 18" ahead of the prop...reads fine. Sometimes the direction of the sun matters, and sometimes the distance seems to matter on some tachs.

It's about $28, and might be available at your LHS...if they have Saitos, they should be able to get 'em.  Steve

[john e. holliday]

David, glad to here things are starting to come around.   Me it is just getting into the mood to go flying.   Already I have spent more time out side working than I did all last year.  Have convinced myself that I am going to have to live with pain of the knees.   Keep us posted on your adventures in flying.

[FLOYD CARTER]

Tach problems?  A flying friend once complained of erratic tach readings.  My first idea was "replace the battery".  He hadn't even realized that a little "coin" cell was inside.  That fixed the problem.

BTW, if you want to check your tach calibration, point it indoors at a flourescent tube light.  It should read 3600 RPM.  Most tachs have an adjustment inside for that calibration.

Floyd

[David Hoover]

It appears that the batteries were the problem.  I tried the fluorescent light test and got readings anywhere from high 2000's to low 5000's.  I turned the tach (Hobbico) over, noticed a battery hatch on the back, popped it open and discovered that it takes AAA's.  I always keep a pair of those around because my Kestrel pretty much eats them for dinner.  Tried the fluorescent light test again and it's rock solid on 3,600 set for 2-blade prop and 2,400 on the 3-blade setting.

A little voice in the back of my head had been saying "Try new batteries" but I kept ignoring it so thanks, Floyd, for booting me in the right direction.  You just saved me about $30!  I hadn't expected weak batteries to give erroneously high readings - low made sense to me but not high - so that's why I was ignoring the little voice.  Just shows how ignorant I am of things electronic.

Now I just need to get a new pair of AAA's before the ones in my Kestrel pack it in.