RE: newbie first flight and engine question
NO, NO, NO !!!
Guys, "a whole bunch of black soot " IS NOT NORMAL !!!
That black stuff is aluminum metal powder. Either something is rubbing inside the engine, or something (maybe the muffler ) is rubbing on the outside. Hopefully it's something like a loose muffler rubbing at the engine joint and tightening the muffler screws will fix it. If it's inside, something needs to be fixed, or you're going to have a sick engine real soon now.
Like they say: "Free advice is worth every penny you pay for it."