10th April 2015 - It is officially spring, let work on G-CIJY recommence

Finally some warm dry weather to get going again on the build.

First job was to refit the propeller and do an engine run to check the compressions. The Odyssey PC680 battery showed no signs of deterioration despite being left untouched  for 5 months. The same couldn't be said of the left magneto which needed the points drying before it felt like starting the engine. However, once it was cleaned and re-timed the engine started immediately and ran smoothly.
I borrowed a calibrated differential compression tester from my local aircraft engineering company and with the engine warm checked the compressions:

1. 73/80
2. 73/70
3. 75/80
4. 74/80

For an engine that hasn't been run in anger for over 8 years those are definitely OK with no evidence of any serious problem. I did de-glaze the cylinders before installing them so I expect these figures should improve further as the engine is run over the next 50 or so hours.

I also used the engine runs to tweak the vacuum regulator. This put the vacuum nicely into the green arc so the DI and AI should work well. It also proved that the vacuum pump is operating properly.

Next the transponder was re-installed after repair and this time its Mode S code could be configured as the aircraft is now registered with the CAA!

G-CIJY may not be the most interesting call sign but by choosing an in-sequence registration it saved a significant chunk of money compared to a "personalised" registration.

Much of the remaining work on the aircraft is now in the category "finishing" and the next job is to remove the engine, touch up the mount, paint the engine, and refit it ready for flight.