Flying Off Boring Break-In Hours Leads to a Neat Adventure

As the author deals with a case of deja vu, some friends make a mundane task a lot more fun.

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 10:05 AM ET

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Forced to remain at high power settings during cylinder break-in, touring the area has been one of the only flying options available. Fortunately, this can be fun. [Photo: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

The author faced a frustrating situation requiring many hours of engine break-in for their new airplane cylinders, which restricted flying to cruise power settings and avoided necessary proficiency training.
To overcome this, they enlisted a friend to handle critical maneuvers like takeoffs and landings, allowing them to accumulate engine hours without compromising safety or break-in procedures.
These otherwise "boring" break-in flights were transformed into exploratory adventures, touring local private airstrips and even investigating a mysterious private airport with underground hangars.
By adopting a positive mindset and seeking help from friends, the author turned a challenging necessity into an enjoyable and educational experience, building connections and discovering new places.

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Back in college, I got into motorcycle riding. Starting out with a thoroughly shagged Honda CBR600, I became hooked, and I soon began to save my pennies for a brand-new machine. Before long, I found a Ducati Monster that was four years old but had never been taken out of its original shipping crate.

Anticipating the luscious, smooth torque and intoxicating sounds produced by that 900cc Italian twin, I took a couple of days off from work and dedicated them to riding. My enthusiasm was dampened, however, when I learned about the necessary break-in process for a new motorcycle engine. For the first 1,000 miles, I had to limit the engine to fairly low RPMs.