Just an update on the Berkut N268DK...on 2-13-09 (Friday the 13th no less) Got the First flight complete and we are down safe and the Berkut is in fine shape. Mike Melvill in his Long EZ N26MS with Jeff Holle in the back seat photo. Flew 42 min up to 10k' and 190 kts cycled the gear & Speed Brake a few times all worked fine.

The major things we were to worry about were the new things aft of the firewall. Like the new Lycoming YIO-390-Exp Thunderbolt engine. I put a turbo charger (turbo normalized) on and a new downdraft cooling system. This being all new never tried B4 so that was the biggest worry for the flight. All that worked fine ground cooling OK and in flt the max CHT was 410 deg F but only for a short time most the CHTs ran 320-380 deg F the Oil temp ran just perfect 200-210 deg F. all other engine stuff was very normal. With a light fuel load and the 3 blade CS AeroComposites prop at 2700 RPM and full throttle for T/O the bird just leaped into the air. At 10k' and full throttle 22" MP rolled in the Manual turbo waist gate and the boost went to 31" MP just like it should. Very happy about all that should have a fast bird at altitude.

About the only major gig was a very big dead spot in the elevator pitch response and the faster I went the bigger the dead spot + - 8 degrees Delta E. That needs some work to get attached flow around the elevator. The Aileron forces were quite light and very responsive in roll. Rudder forces were good but strong dihedral roll with rudder. Some other small gigs RPM lever needs more friction had to hold it the whole flight. The 14v batt converter failed and the 12v batt was dead on landing. The main 28v system worked fine and the B&C 40 amp alt worked fine. The Blue Mountain EFIS is real neat ... has an Engine Pod data logger to down load and graph all engine data so I have a flt history of all the parameters.

On recovery did a Tac pitch over head pattern (ftr pilot stuff you know) and a velvet arm grease landing, taxi in and got hosed down as I stepped out. Landed just 30 minutes B4 the Wx krumpt in snow. Post flight of the engine area found no oil leaks or hot spots on the cowl. Jeff Holle took some video and pix from the chase but not ready yet.

Thanx for your interest and support

Dick Rutan
Owner/pilot
N268DK Berkut

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