Interesting plane and a beautiful flying field. Nice work.

Sounds like the engine is running rich though. You don't need to run a gasoline engine four stroke rich for break in. In fact, doing so just causes carbon build up and can actually delay break in. I generally run half a tank of fuel through my gas engines on the test stand; the first couple of minutes in a lean four stroke setting, then I run it peaked, then rich, peaked, then rich several times. I let the engine cool down completely, then I run the rest of the tank through it at a peaked mixture setting, but at various throttle settings but avoiding full throttle for more than 10 or 15 seconds at a time. Then the engine is ready to go in my estimation. I install it on the plane, recheck the carb settings to be peaked and then 1/16 turn back open on the high needle, and go fly it. Don't hover much or do slow airspeed maneuvers for the first few tanks, then run it like you stole it!

AV8TOR