So here goes:

I'm a solid intermediate at flying and with small nitro engines (0.15 to 0.46) stepping into gas for the first time. I recently finished my first gasser build(80" Peak Katana) and have started breaking in the engine.

The engine is a DLA-56 bought from Hobby King.
Miracle dual switch with fuel dot.
6v 2200mah NiMH,
TRC 23x8 Carbon Fiber Prop.

So far i have 3 tanks through the engine on the ground. I'm running 91 octane mixed 32:1 with SuperTech 2-stroke air-cooled out-board oil. I have been letting it idle for a minute or so. gradually increasing the throttle to half throttle then to full throttle measuring the rpm with my handheld tach then reducing back to 1/3 throttle. Then, when I get close to the end of the tank I slowly ramp it back up and measure the rpm, ease back to idle for a while and cut the ignition just before the end of the tank. Immediatley after killing the ignition I check the cyclinder temp and crankcase temp via infrared. I have also let the engine cool completely before going on to the next tank.

My fist tank:
Peak rpm after warm up 6,300rpm, towards the end 6,430 rpm
Cylinder temp 198F Crankcase temp 174F

My second tank:
Peak rpm after warm up 6,450rpm, towards the end 6,530 rpm
Cylinder temp 199F Crankcase temp 176F

My third tank:
Peak rpm after warm up 6,600rpm, towards the end 7,400 rpm
Cylinder temp 199F Crankcase temp 180F

My Questions to you guys:
Am I on the right track?
Do my numbers look good?
I have yet to touch the needles and can see that it is on the rich side. Is it safe to tune for max rpm?
The manual says not to adjust the needles with the engine running. Is this just for liability/safety concerns? On glow you kinda have to adjust the needles with engine running, wouldnt it be the same on gas?
At what point am I safe to put the plane in the air? From what I have read most people say it takes 2-3 gallons before the engine is broken in. There is also conflicting views as whether to break the engine in on the ground or in the air. What is the true best way? My entire cyclinder head is outside the cowl and the temp seem normal to me..

Any other suggestions are well recieved.

It's ready. Go fly it.

Three tanks on a DLA-56 bought from Hobby King is great. You better fly it quick as the engine is now at its half life.

Gas engines are not like glow engines. If they run fly them. Running them on the ground or on a test stand is not needed at all. In fact with the limited amount of cooling air, it can be harmful.
Fly it!

Sleepy and Fab, Thanks! Am I safe to adjust the needles while the engine is running?

If you can get to the needles and keep your fingers out of the prop...It's a CYA thing from the makers....
From someone who HAS been there and done that...Still have the fingers, just a few scars...
FWIW, AMA covers the medical....To a point...Mine was about $ 450....

Originally Posted by antique

If you can get to the needles and keep your fingers out of the prop...It's a CYA thing from the makers....
From someone who HAS been there and done that...Still have the fingers, just a few scars...
FWIW, AMA covers the medical....To a point...Mine was about $ 450....

HAHAHA... That 23x8 is a lot more intimidating than a 10x7

Last one that got me was a wood 26-8....Put a dent in the prop, stopped the engine....

My God! You were very lucky not to lose anything. I once saw a YouTube clip from some reality ER show where a guy in England had a STEEL prop on a small gasser with a pull starter. Needless to say the prop caught the cord and sucked his hand in with it... He wasn't so l lucky...

Originally Posted by 5150flyer

Three tanks on a DLA-56 bought from Hobby King is great. You better fly it quick as the engine is now at its half life.

Ouch...

Originally Posted by SleepyC

Gas engines are not like glow engines. If they run fly them. Running them on the ground or on a test stand is not needed at all. In fact with the limited amount of cooling air, it can be harmful.
Fly it!

I maidened my first gasser without running a half tank of fuel through it on the ground. I think the main thing about running a gasser on the ground is to make sure everything is sound and checked over well. Then you can put it to the wind.

You are on the right path. Your numbers are good, and you can lean the engine to where you get a good idle, transition and high end. You are safe to fly, and there is no need for ground breaking a gas engine. As a matter of fact, it's better for the engine to be broken in in flight. Regarding adjusting the engine while running, it's a matter of safety; if you can do it safely, it's fine, just remember to give the engine a good time to adjust to every change you make -unlike glow engines, where you will notice the change immediately-. Ah, and regarding the life of the engine, your engine will last as much as any other. Now that you are over 2 gallons in, switch to a 40:1 mix, and don't bother with high octane fuel, since it's not needed and the results of lower octane fuel are better, since combustion is cooler.

Enjoy it!

Originally Posted by 5150flyer

Three tanks on a DLA-56 bought from Hobby King is great. You better fly it quick as the engine is now at its half life.

how much time left on mine would you say.i got two years on my 56,runs great,runs neck and neck to the two dle55's i have.

Thanks guys for the help. Hopefully if the weather permits, I'll get her up in the air this weekend.

Originally Posted by closetguy

how much time left on mine would you say.i got two years on my 56,runs great,runs neck and neck to the two dle55's i have.

How many flights do you have on the 56 in two years?