Csjhay

I get 5400rpm level flight WOT.

Any more pics of the 500?

Cheers Chris

Looks very nice , what cruise do you get ?

Get 105 kts 5000rpm from ours.

Yes ,know of that one too .

Hi all

Was wondering if any storm owners are on the forum, from what I can see on the net there was one in SA and another in Qld .

Would like to here from any owners out there.

Cheers Chris

Going by the photo, that head has not been on a running engine since the mark was made.

Chris

It's interesting noting the report does not give a cause for the piston failure.

Looking at the cylinder scouring, that piston was definitely picking up before the failure.

I'm also wondering what caused the half moon shaped indent in the combustion chamber ?? Given it hasn't dropped a valve, very symmetrical and to small a radius to be the edge of the piston skirt, it can't be seen in the photos if the gudgeon broke up ,or the conrod.

While the die grinding on the piston is hardly neat ,would it cause a stress fracture ,given the very sharp radius on the inside of the piston skirt would be a much more susceptible spot for a crack to start. ( which they all have )

If piston to cylinder clearance was the cause you would imagine failure would have occurred much sooner in hours after the rebuild ??

While it sounds bad that a non genuine piston was used and I can't comment on a time frame outside of 2000-2005, the pistons were a well known brand of automotive piston at that stage.

Welcome Chris,I also had a flying Dad, but didn't get my licence until after he died. Once that flying bug gets you, there is no turning back. Enjoy the forum and don't worry about the few who go on about being swamped by GA - they forget that before the AUF/RAA there was only GA. Bundaberg - have you been to Childers? There's a fly-in Breakfast 5 Nov if you are interested. Usually someone there most weekends and Wed morning is a bit of a fly-in smoko for guys from Bundy and surrounds. Do a Nav and bring some bun loaf or biscuits and we'll supply the mug & coffee.

Sue

Hi all. Grew up with aircraft ,dad had his ppl and a Cherokee six, awsome memories. Taken me until age 44 to get around to doing it myself. Currently training in a Sportstar and enjoying every second.

Cheers Chris