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Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

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Clive J

Joined: 03 Nov 2007
Posts: 340
Location: UK

Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:07 am Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

As I get nearer to flying my Esqual about I was wondering about the experience of those who cruise around looking for the best MPG?.   

Buz has explained his approaches either setting a fuel flow or a target cruise speed but generally he's always moving fairly swiftly cause he travels long distances.  

   

Has anyone tried testing the speed/fuel flow for optimum MPG? If so what RPM is turning in good figures with a reasonable cruise?  

Over here in the UK fuel is silly prices, even the unleaded Mogas I run my planes on. Also we can't go for too long before we get to the edge…...  

If I'm going somewhere but am just enjoying the view and not in any hurry I'll be looking for a speed/fuel burn that is optimum.  

My Jabiru (SP, short wing long tail) cruises at 95 knots for 14 litres, slowing up drops consumption but she quickly gets nose up and the dragging along means I don't get much improvement on the mpg, certainly not enough to warrant flopping along with the nose in the air. Long winged Jabirus fly at 2100 and get 10 litres an hour.  

My Esqual doesn't have the spats or leg fairings on yet and has the old Esqual cowlings and runs against a drag 'wall' at full throttle (I can only do this for a moment as it overheats on oil temp). Naturally the top speed will improve when I've done what I can as will the fuel consumption but what would be a target cruise revs?.  

   

All the numbers on the tests and other reports are all at fairly high revs, all about showing how fast the planes are.   

What about 100knots? Rev's? Fuel burn? 110? 95? My Esqual seems to sit in the air nicely even quite slowly courtesy of the wings being a little too long.  

What do folk get with the Lightning at economy cruise?   

I do realise that the Jab engine is built to rev more than a conventional aero engine so maybe there's not much to be had for slowing down….  

Ta, Clive     [quote][b]

Charles R Gallagher

Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Posts: 27

Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:45 pm Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

Clive, this article should answer your question,the address is: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/engines/35_dollar_burger.html . Jab3300 in Sonex with  Aero Carb. The cross county speeds gave 34 us/mpg and 36 out for a Sunday fly. Keep us posted on your results. Rgs. CRG

-- On Sun, 8/10/08, James, Clive R <clive.james(at)uk.bp.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  From: James, Clive R <clive.james(at)uk.bp.com>

Subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

Date: Sunday, August 10, 2008, 7:03 AM

Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG        

As I get nearer to flying my Esqual about I was wondering about the experience of those who cruise around looking for the best MPG?.   

Buz has explained his approaches either setting a fuel flow or a target cruise speed but generally he's always moving fairly swiftly cause he travels long distances.  

Has anyone tried testing the speed/fuel flow for optimum MPG? If so what RPM is turning in good figures with a reasonable cruise?  

Over here in the UK fuel is silly prices, even the unleaded Mogas I run my planes on. Also we can't go for too long before we get to the edge…...  

If I'm going somewhere but am just enjoying the view and not in any hurry I'll be looking for a speed/fuel burn that is optimum.  

My Jabiru (SP, short wing long tail) cruises at 95 knots for 14 litres, slowing up drops consumption but she quickly gets nose up and the dragging along means I don't get much improvement on the mpg, certainly not enough to warrant flopping along with the nose in the air. Long winged Jabirus fly at 2100 and get 10 litres an hour.  

My Esqual doesn't have the spats or leg fairings on yet and has the old Esqual cowlings and runs against a drag 'wall' at full throttle (I can only do this for a moment as it overheats on oil temp). Naturally the top speed will improve when I've done what I can as will the fuel consumption but what would be a target cruise revs?.  

All the numbers on the tests and other reports are all at fairly high revs, all about showing how fast the planes are.   

What about 100knots? Rev's? Fuel burn? 110? 95? My Esqual seems to sit in the air nicely even quite slowly courtesy of the wings being a little too long.  

What do folk get with the Lightning at economy cruise?   

I do realise that the Jab engine is built to rev more than a conventional aero engine so maybe there's not much to be had for slowing down….  

Ta, Clive      	  Quote: 	
		  http://www.mw" target="_blank" href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matList Contribution

"nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution"= 	

         [quote][b]

pequeajim

Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 708
Location: New Holland, PA

Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 6:07 pm Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

Charles.  

   

What are the specific advantages of the aero carb besides more economy?  Also, from reading the article, it sounds like the guy was adjusting the mixture?  Do you do this with the aero carb?  

   

Thanks  

Jim!  

     

From: owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Charles Gallagher

 Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2008 8:44 PM

 To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG  

  

           

Clive, this article should answer your question,the   address is: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/engines/35_dollar_burger.html

Clive J

Joined: 03 Nov 2007
Posts: 340
Location: UK

Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:01 pm Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

What sort of speed Charles? 



--

pete(at)flylightning.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:38 am Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

There is no more economy with an aerocarb.  We’ve shown this for years now.  Several Sonex people boast about a 155 mph cruise at 4.9 gallons per hour.  We can routinely do 120 knots in a bigger heavier aircraft on 4.9 gph with the bing in our Jabiru J230’s.  

   

Pete Krotje  

Jabiru USA  

       

From: owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Jim Langley

 Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2008 9:07 PM

 To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG  

  

  

   

Charles.  

   

What are the specific advantages of the aero carb besides more economy?  Also, from reading the article, it sounds like the guy was adjusting the mixture?  Do you do this with the aero carb?  

   

Thanks  

Jim!  

     

From: owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Charles Gallagher

 Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2008 8:44 PM

 To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG  

  

           

Clive, this article should answer your question,the   address is: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/engines/35_dollar_burger.html

pequeajim

Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 708
Location: New Holland, PA

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:38 am Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

Thanks for the information Pete.  My question about the aerocarb was more out of curiosity than anything else.



 On 8/11/08, Pete Krotje <pete(at)flylightning.net (pete(at)flylightning.net)> wrote: [quote]   

There is no more economy with an aerocarb.  We've shown this for years now.  Several Sonex people boast about a 155 mph cruise at 4.9 gallons per hour.  We can routinely do 120 knots in a bigger heavier aircraft on 4.9 gph with the bing in our Jabiru J230's.  

  

Pete Krotje 

Jabiru USA 

   

[b]

Charles R Gallagher

Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Posts: 27

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:21 am Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

Clive,the article did reference average speeds for the cross country and local flying. There was not much change in MPG with slower flight,which I found interesting.Who knows what the optimum MPG speed is for other aircraft.What stood out to me in the article was the attention to cylinder head temperature and leaning to that value. With the Bing, after the initial set up,no adjusting is required.I have not been able to find a BSFC curve for the 3300  which usually varies with RPM due to pumping losses.I'm going to the September engine school and hope get more detailed technical info,if they have the data I will post it.I wonder if starting from a safe low speed nose up configuration adding in 100 rpm increments find the point where angle of attack levels out and the speed increases, then check the fuel used at fill up ,better yet I THINK,if you have a GRT  AVIONICS panel with fuel flow it will calculate your range, thus the best speed/rpm/fuel flow .Forgive my ramblings,CRG



 

 On Mon, 8/11/08, James, Clive R <clive.james(at)uk.bp.com> wrote:

[quote]From: James, Clive R <clive.james(at)uk.bp.com>

Subject: RE: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

Date: Monday, August 11, 2008, 1:57 AM



[quote]--> Lightning-List message posted by: "James, Clive R"

<clive.james(at)uk.bp.com>



What sort of speed Charles? 



--

N1BZRich(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:45 am Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

In a message dated 8/10/2008 8:08:35 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  clive.james(at)uk.bp.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		  Has anyone tried testing the speed/fuel flow for optimum    MPG? If so what RPM is turning in good figures with a reasonable    cruise? 	


 

 Hi Clive,

     During my initial 40 hour FAA Phase One testing I  did some "Range verses MPH" charts for N31BZ that would basically be the  "optimum MPG" info that you are looking for.  Actually, everyone should  plot this data for their aircraft, but I know how busy we all can get.   Heck, I have changed props several times since I ran those test, so my data is  "old" for my airplane as it is configured today.  

     At the time I ran these test I was using a fixed  pitch Sensenich  - W64ZK54, and I only plotted data for 5,000 feet and  10,000 feet.  I "assumed" a usable fuel of 25 gallons which would have  given a fuel reserve of 3.8 gallons for 31BZ.  (Of course, the OAT air  temperature when you are refueling will vary the amount of fuel you can actually  get in the tanks.)  After I plotted the raw data for the various  speeds I then had the computer "smooth" out the data curve (polynomial?) which  resulted in a smooth data curve.  Having said all that, with the prop I was  running at that time it looks like 120 mph (TAS) would give the best MPG for  31BZ.  In other words, 31BZ would have a range of about 1000 miles at  10,000' when flying at 120 mph (TAS).  MPG for 31BZ at those numbers is  close to 40 MPG, but who the heck wants to go that slow.  

 Blue Skies,\

 Buz



Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos.

Clive J

Joined: 03 Nov 2007
Posts: 340
Location: UK

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:25 am Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

Slow is good at times, I imagine even 145 knots is a little slow for an

Ex Jet Jockey!



Thanks folks for feedback on mpg. 120 mph must be a nice steady cruise

and 40 mpg sound good! 



Hopefully I'll get some numbers in a few weeks then I can set to

improving them with some drag reduction.



Regards Clive (halfway between Scotland and Norway for another 2 weeks

yet!)

--

dashvii(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

Clive C

   You're probably right.  I think the landing speed on an F-4 is about 145 knots or so.  Brian W.> Subject: RE: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG> Date: Tue C 12 Aug 2008 20:24:55 +0100> From: clive.james(at)uk.bp.com> To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com> >

J Dupont

Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 26

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

 	  N1BZRich(at)AOL.COM wrote: 	
		  In a message dated 8/10/2008 8:08:35 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  clive.james(at)uk.bp.com writes:

, with the prop I was  running at that time it looks like 120 mph (TAS) would give the best MPG for  31BZ.  In other words, 31BZ would have a range of about 1000 miles at  10,000' when flying at 120 mph (TAS).  MPG for 31BZ at those numbers is  close to 40 MPG, but who the heck wants to go that slow.  

 Blue Skies,\

 Buz



	


In this year's NASA GA Technology Challenge ( http://www.eaa.org/news/2008/2008-08-13_challenge.asp ) ,  no contestants were able to beat 30mpg.  Someone should list a lightning in that contest for next year, or is there something I don't get?



Yhol

N1BZRich(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

In a message dated 8/15/2008 1:07:05 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  playgoldg(at)hotmail.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		  Someone    should list a lightning in that contest for next year, or is there something I    don't get?

	


 

 Yhol,

  

     I agree, and suggested that some time ago.   However, not having seen the actual rules for the NASA GA Technology Challenge ,  there may be some other requirements that I am not aware of.  Of course,  like any contest or challenge, there are always some "out of pocket" expenses  that could easily run up the cost of such a venture.  We need someone like  Earl Ferguson (the Lightning world record holder) to accept the challenge,  research the rules, plan the attempt, and "make it happen".  How about it,  Earl?

 Buz



Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos.

  [quote][b]

EAFerguson(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:10 am Post subject: Esqual-Lightning real cruise for best MPG

In a message dated 8/18/2008 12:33:04 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  N1BZRich(at)AOL.COM writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		         I agree, and suggested that some time ago.     However, not having seen the actual rules for the NASA GA Technology Challenge    , there may be some other requirements that I am not aware of.  Of    course, like any contest or challenge, there are always some "out of pocket"    expenses that could easily run up the cost of such a venture.  We need    someone like Earl Ferguson (the Lightning world record holder) to accept the    challenge, research the rules, plan the attempt, and "make it happen".     How about it, Earl?

   Buz

	


 

 All, 

  

 I'm planning a presentation on record how tos and such for the gathering in  Shelbyville. Ya'll come.

  

 Earl



Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos.

  [quote][b]

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