My Flightstar ultralight trainer sitting in front of my hangar on the taxiway.

The morning before departure I took advantage of calm winds and blue skies to test fly after performing the maintenance inspection.  I did a partial 100 hour inspection.  The wing and tail covering was 4 months old with less than 20 hours since a complete disassembly and inspection.  Inspection of the engine internal components was through exhaust and intake.  The rotary valve seal had been replaced 110 hours before.  Total time A&E was 260 hours and an engine overhaul was scheduled for the end of the flying season or at 300 hours.  I was comfortable with time on the engine as several were flying with much more than 300 hours.  My experience within the next 24 hours would change my atitude drastically.