flyguy
Well-Known Member
Long solo XC and my first \"incident\"
For those of you that don't know, I am working on my private and am almost done. I had my long solo XC today. I flew from OAK to OVE. It was a lot of fun and I think I can say it was the most satisfying time I've had flying yet. I also had my first "incident". As I was taking off from OVE on my way back to OAK, the engine ran very rough and I had to abort the takeoff. I taxied back and did a mag check. Sure enough when I checked the left one, the engine just about jumped right out of the cowling. I burned off the deposit checked the mags again and both of them were running smoother than they had all day. I then decided it was safe to try the takeoff again, and I was able to fly back to OAK without any further incident. Although it was pretty scary at the time, as I look back on it, its satisfying that I was able to recognize the problem and safely abort the takeoff, and then was able to identify and remody the problem. Its the first time I'd ever had to make a real "PIC" decision, and I'm pleased with how I handled it.
One thing that puzzles me though, is that I did a mag check before I attempted the first takeoff and didn't notice any roughness. There was a period of only about 2 or 3 minutes between the time I checked the mags and began the takeoff. Do deposits really develop that quickly?
For those of you that don't know, I am working on my private and am almost done. I had my long solo XC today. I flew from OAK to OVE. It was a lot of fun and I think I can say it was the most satisfying time I've had flying yet. I also had my first "incident". As I was taking off from OVE on my way back to OAK, the engine ran very rough and I had to abort the takeoff. I taxied back and did a mag check. Sure enough when I checked the left one, the engine just about jumped right out of the cowling. I burned off the deposit checked the mags again and both of them were running smoother than they had all day. I then decided it was safe to try the takeoff again, and I was able to fly back to OAK without any further incident. Although it was pretty scary at the time, as I look back on it, its satisfying that I was able to recognize the problem and safely abort the takeoff, and then was able to identify and remody the problem. Its the first time I'd ever had to make a real "PIC" decision, and I'm pleased with how I handled it.
One thing that puzzles me though, is that I did a mag check before I attempted the first takeoff and didn't notice any roughness. There was a period of only about 2 or 3 minutes between the time I checked the mags and began the takeoff. Do deposits really develop that quickly?