Hangar Flying

I was talking with someone who rebuilds engines, and they were kind of down on electonic ignitions, and encouraged me to stick with Mags on my IO-320.

His statement was, "As manifold pressure decreases, you have to advance the timing, but no one can tell you by how much.

If you advance too much, your peak cylinder pressure will increase into the detonation zone."

He went on to describe some engines that he had torn down with electronic ignitions that had metal flaking and errosion of coatings on certain parts that he thought might be related to this problem.

Does anyone else have any experience with these issues?

Waiter,

Very interesting and useful comments.
What engine are you using?
What is your Basic Empty Weight?
What would you change if you had to do it over?

Thanks!

I've always been queezy about the lift tabs, as I know loosing a canard would be catastrophic.

I'm considering machining the lift tabs from .125 Stainless rather than Aluminum.

Does anyone see any problem with this?

Thanks

Just how useful are these baggage pods, if you are taking 2-3 day trips with the plane?

In practical terms, how much "stuff" can you put in them?

Do the handling characteristics change noticeably with them on?

Matt,

I was thinking of putting a latch that would prevent the mixture from being retarded below 25%.

The idea is to prevent the mixture from accidentally being retarded so far as to make the engine stop.

I'm going to make my own throttle quadrant (just having fun).

I was wondering everyone's opinion on the following:
1. Is a in-flight adjustable friction lock desirable?
2. Is a stop to prevent the mixture being closed accidentally desirable?  I'd have a simple spring loaded plunger you'd have to pull to allow the mixture to be closed the last 1/4 travel.

Thanks.  I want to keep things simple and light, but also want these features if they are useful in the real world.

My idea is to have the auto gear extension (AEX) module that comes with the Wilhelmson nose lift, and not have that circuit on a horn.

The horn will only be used when the throttle is advanced past 80% with the canopy latch not secure.

I think the difference with a EZ airplane is that an open canopy can be a serious safety of flight issue, whereas an open door on a Cessna is a nuisance that is not.

Since when is a service taxable?