Jabit

I have not read all this discussion but have seen quite a bit. It should be clearly spelled out by the manufacturer if the head studs should be tightened either wet or dry. There can be a significant difference in the two. I also firmly believe the studs should be tapered thinner in the middle and thicker at the threads. We had this same issue with VW engines trying to pull too much power with too high compression. We did not work it out for a long time but it was all about the studs, temp and detonation on too low a fuel grade. I also believe the desperation to reduce fuel consumption has been the cause of some of the valve problems. I love the self regulating carb but who knows what it is doing through all stages of the flight? I do not have EGT but I would like to add one and see what happens. We did increase jet sizes in our 230 after we had to give the valves some attention on 2 cylinders with low pressure at about 400 hrs. This was inexpensive and since then (650 hrs) we have had no problems.

You are not missing anything! If you love to fly go for it! I find it depends on the distance obviously as the further you travel the better it gets. I fly from BALLARAT up to NSW and into South Aus regularly and find it saves masses of time as well as stress. I arrive relaxed and ready to go as I have not been wrestling idiots, trucks, police etc etc Sounds like you do not have time pressure which is excellent. I find to get over the weather issue I plan to go the slow way and if the time comes and the weather is good then I go the fast way. I tend not to plan so much in winter obviously and I like to get away early when possible. If I get stuck I leave her where she is and get home some other way. Only been stuck once so far. There's always another way home.

G'day all I just discovered this site by chance. It's great! I have been flying around in my little Jabiru all over the place for the last couple of years and I am loving it. I started to fly with my boss in the mining industry in the late 70's in a C150. We also bought a gyrocopter with a VW engine which we had lots of problems with! Fred my boss had about 30 forced landings in the first month. Lucky we were in the wide open spaces of South Australia. Fred went on to fly the gyros for the next 20 years but he very sadly died when his propellor hub (home made) broke and sent the prop through the rotor. I went on and completed my restricted GA license in the mid 80's and then decided I was not going to fly enough to be safe so gave it away until 3 years ago when I discovered LSA and started to fly again. I have my full LSA license now and am about to complete my GA finally after all these years. Just my final flight test to go but xmas has got in the way so back to it shortly. I have a one third share in a syndicate J230D and am flying a Warrior for the GA. I fly a bit for work and a lot for fun! Am really looking forward to good discussion on this site.