Yahoo!!!! ran the engine yesterday. it started with no problems and patiently waited for me to stop high 5'n my son before we shut it down.

We let it heat soak at 90K to seat the bearings on the first run and then eased it up to 120k on the second run. not a lick of vibration with smooth transitions in all ranges of throttle movement. Next run will bring her all the way up to max power (160K) yikes!!! You should have felt the push at 120K!! I can hardly wait.

The DECU parameters are a good start. Pump start point 18 and start ramp of 4 worked just fine.

Although it's not mentioned in the manual, I would recommend pre-lubing the bearings with aprox 10cc of your oil mix. rotate the compressor nut by hand to ensure complete coverage. on the first start up ensure you have a good (ie. fully charged air blower) source of air and don't be suprised if you see some flames on start up. monitor the EGT to ensure it is not excessive and keep the air going through the engine. Also, prior to cutting the O-ring which seals the outer case to the compressor face, wrap it around as if you were to install it. my manual states 252mm but that was going to be too short. measure thrice cut once, eh?

another highlight of the start but easily rectified by a quick call to JDE was the rpm reading on initial install. as the engine sat ready for the first run the rpm sensor was indicating anywhere from 12.5 - 16.5K. What the F? did I put it in backward? ofcourse it shouldn't be reading anything right? so I thought, but Dennis assured me this was normal due to the hall sensor magnet. a quick blast of air had the compressor spinning and giving a true reading. no worries mate! whew!

much like any other manual start engines (yes, I willing admit, I love manual starts) hit the glow, hit the air, off the air, hit the propane (whoomp) hit the air, increase the propane slightly, remove the glow, continue with the air and watch for fuel flow. monitor the EGT and keep the air blowing until you approach idle rpm. monitor the EGT as you come off the air and ensure the engine is stabilized at idle prior to buttoning up the hatches and releasing your assistant from the fire bottle.

most of my questions to JDE during construction and prior to initial run were unnecessary but allowed me to confirm with 100% accuracy what the instruction manual was telling me. (also many thanks to Duke Chung for lending a helping hand and providing valuable advice throughout the construction phase) I thought the DECU manual was very straight forward and easy to follow. The programming of the transmitter / DECU interface was painless.

Unfortunately, my work schedule will delay flight evaluation for a few weeks.

Thus far, I'm impressed with the JDE 54. It is reasonably priced, serviced in the USA and AMA approved. Best of all, it has to be the lightest installation in the 12lb thrust motor class on the market. not bad for $1775 (unassembled version with electronic balance and $30 s/h) assuming you don't have to pay Ca tax.

hope you boyz don't mind the update, I'm very excited. Pix of install and flight photos to follow.

Buck