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Kolb gph fuel burn survey

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etzimm(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

All Kolbers,



I'm curious what other kolb pilots are experiencing as their gallon  

per hour fuel burn?



What is your sustained level flight absolute minimum gal, per hr?  At  

what engine rpm?   And at what cruise speed?



What is your over all  "average" gal. per hr.   engine rpm, and   

cruise speed?



Please specify the model of your plane and engine when you share your  

statistics.



Statistic from  flights of 2 hours or longer will likely be more  

accurate and reliable  than shorter flights, but please share whatever  

you personally experience with your plane.



                            Eugene Zimmerman

Richard Pike

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Blountville, Tennessee

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

MKIII, 582, 2.58:1 B box, 2 blade 68" Ivo, 4 GPH (at) 5,200 rpm & 65 mph



FSII, 582, 2.58:1 B box, 2 blade 68" Ivo, 3.5 GPH (at) 4,800 rpm & 62 mph



Richard Pike

MKIII N420P (420ldPoops)

WhiskeyVictor36(at)aol.co
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

In a message dated 8/31/2009 10:24:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  etzimm(at)gmail.com writes:

   	  Quote: 	
		     What is your over all  "average" gal. per hr.      engine rpm, and   

cruise speed?

   Gene Z,

    

   This is my average for a 1 to 2 hour    flight and includes taxi, warm up, takeoff, landing and taxi again, such as    during my trips to Homers picnics:

       

   Original style - Kolb FireStar

   Rotax 447

   5000 RPM = 2.0 GPH

   Airspeed about 60 to 65 in smooth air (drops to 55~60    in bumpy air)

    

    I don't know what the fuel burn is during cruise    only.

    

   Bill Varnes

Original Kolb FireStar

Audubon NJ

Do Not    Archive

	


 

  [quote][b]

flykolb(at)pa.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:49 pm Post subject: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Richard,



Do you have any gph figures on a slower speed cruise?

Guesses?



Dennis



--

aslsa.rng(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Eugene, I'll be out of phase one testing and going off to breakfast at Ponca City this Saturday. I'll do a careful test going there and back with my 582 powered Mk IIIC.



Rick Girard

do not archive

 

On Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 9:21 PM, Eugene Zimmerman <etzimm(at)gmail.com (etzimm(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

[quote] --> Kolb-List message posted by: Eugene Zimmerman <etzimm(at)gmail.com (etzimm(at)gmail.com)>

 

 All Kolbers,

 

 I'm curious what other kolb pilots are experiencing as their gallon per hour fuel burn?

 

 What is your sustained level flight absolute minimum gal, per hr?  At what engine rpm?   And at what cruise speed?

 

 What is your over all  "average" gal. per hr.   engine rpm, and  cruise speed?

 

 Please specify the model of your plane and engine when you share your statistics.

 

 Statistic from  flights of 2 hours or longer will likely be more accurate and reliable  than shorter flights, but please share whatever you personally experience with your plane.

 

 

 

                            Eugene Zimmerman

 

 ===========

 arget="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

 ===========

 http://forums.matronics.com

 ===========

 le, List Admin.

 ="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

 ===========

 

 

 

 [b]

Thom Riddle

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:26 am Post subject: Re: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Eugene,



Yesterday I did a 1.5 hour flight at a steady 2,640 rpm and true airspeed of 80 mph at a density altitude of about 2,500'. Total fuel burn of 5.5 gallons for burn rate of 3.67 gph or almost 22 mpg. These numbers include taxi, short warm up, one take-off and climb to about 1800 AGL, one descent and landing and taxi back. On my next flight I plan to do a similar flight at a slower speed, probably around 72 mph and will report my numbers.



Note that the max continuous spped for the Jabiru engine is 3300 rpm but I am currently over propped and it won't reach that rpm in straight and level flight. My prop is a Tennessee Wood 66x34, which I think is too long for a Jabiru engine.

_________________
Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)

Don't worry about old age... it doesn't last very long.
- Anonymous

Thom Riddle

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:33 am Post subject: Re: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Eugene,



I forgot to mention that I also tested for minimum power flight. Without use of flaperons I got down to sustained S&L flight at only 2,232 RPM and 55 mph airspeed. I think it might go to a little less power cruise but this is only 10 mph over my stall speed so I didn't bother to reduce power any more.



In case anyone is wondering why I'm quoting such un-rounded tach numbers, for some reason, my EIS tach reading is in increments of 24 rpm. Have not figured out why that is, maybe the sensor is reading flywheel teeth. I have not yet dug into that but will.

_________________
Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)

Don't worry about old age... it doesn't last very long.
- Anonymous

Jimmy Young

Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 182
Location: Missouri City, TX

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:25 am Post subject: Re: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Firestar II with the HKS:



2.8 hr flight on Sunday, good combination of cruise at 5200-5400 rpm, slow flight at 4700 rpm, full power climbs, 3 take offs & landings, burned avg. of 2.5 gal/hr.

_________________
Jimmy Young
Missouri City, TX
Kolb FS II/HKS 700

Ralph B

Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 367
Location: Mound Minnesota

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:41 am Post subject: Re: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Original Firestar, Rotax 447, 2.58 B box, 2-blade 66" Ivo, 2.7 GPH at 5100 rpm, regular 87 oct ethanol 10% fuel, 60mph



Kolbra, Rotax 912 80hp, 3-blade Warp Drive, 3.5 GPH at 5000 rpm, regular 87 oct ethanol 10% fuel, 80mph

_________________
Ralph B

Kolb Kolbra 912uls
N20386
550 hours

dalewhelan

Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 105
Location: USA ARIZONA fountain hills

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Firestar II 503 DCDI 66" Ivo 2 blade pitched for 6,400 on climb 2.58:1 B box

32:1 with 87 octane fuel

Flight started with 320 pound load and 10 gallons of fuel.

Air temp at surface was about 95 relative humidity 20% Altimeter 29.86" Haze

Flew between 4,500 and 5,500 msl

Surface is about 1,300 AGL

Made landings at three airfields.

1.8 hours (at) 5,800 RPM 

Average indicated airspeed at cruise 70 MPH

Fuel burn Five gallons

2.7 GPH

Cruise EGT 1,050

Climb EGT 950, main jets on order

_________________
Dale Whelan
503 powered Firestar II, Luscombe 8A
Projection, A simple and interesting Psychological concept

NeilsenRM(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:24 am Post subject: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

MKIIIC Redrive 2180cc VW 71" PowerFin F model 3 blade 4GPH (at) 75 MPH 3200 RPM 

on a 2-3.5 hour cross country.



An interesting change occurred on the flight to the Purdy field fly in. The 

flight was exactly 2 hours round trip winds < 5 MPH both directions. On the 

way there I flew my normal 75 MPH indicated for app. one hour. On the way 

back I flew in a loose formation at 70 MPH. The total fuel burn was exactly 

6.25 gallons I emptied my 6 gallon aux tank just before landing to top off 

the main tanks. This also included a brief period of flight close to 80 MPH 

(at) 3400 RPM to catch up. My MKIIIC really doesn't like to fly faster than 75 

MPH and it appears there is considerable drag reduction, fuel economy by 

slowing to 70 MPH.



Rick Neilsen

Redrive VW powered MKIIIC



---

Dana

Joined: 13 Dec 2007
Posts: 1047
Location: Connecticut, USA

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:21 pm Post subject: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

UltraStar with Cuyuna ULII-02:



3.3GPH overall (taxi, climb, cruise, landing) with 5800 rpm cruise (50-55 mph).



5 gallons won't give me a hour flight!



Extended slower cruise flights are on my agenda.



-Dana



At 10:21 PM 8/31/2009, Eugene Zimmerman wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  I'm curious what other kolb pilots are experiencing as their gallon

per hour fuel burn?



What is your sustained level flight absolute minimum gal, per hr?  At

what engine rpm?   And at what cruise speed?



What is your over all  "average" gal. per hr.   engine rpm, and

cruise speed?



Please specify the model of your plane and engine when you share your

statistics.



Statistic from  flights of 2 hours or longer will likely be more

accurate and reliable  than shorter flights, but please share whatever

you personally experience with your plane.


	


--

  "If I knew there were coming to my house a man with the fixed intention 

of doing me good I would run for my life." - Thoreau

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:34 pm Post subject: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

 	  Quote: 	
		   I'm curious what other kolb pilots are experiencing as their gallon  

 per hour fuel burn?

 > 
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

                            Eugene Zimmerman

 
	


Gene/Gang:



582

5800

5.5 gph



912UL

5000

4 gph



912ULS

5000

5 gph



447

5800

3.75 gph



Cuyuna ULII02

5800

3.5 gph



UH-1H

600 lbs/100 gph



AH-1G

600 lbs/100 gph



Forgot all the rest.  



john h

mkIII

Marion, IL

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

2danglico

Joined: 08 Sep 2008
Posts: 17
Location: Seneca SC

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:01 am Post subject: Re: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

I'd like to weigh in, although my #'s are less than impressive by what I've seen so far.



Original Firestar 

447 2.58:1

66" Culver



5500 rpm

63 mph

3.3 GPH

Thom Riddle

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:41 am Post subject: Re: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

I did another constant rpm flight today at a slower airspeed.



2352 RPM

65 mph TAS

2200' Density Altitude

1.6 hours flight time, including taxi etc.

4.75 gallons consumed

2.97 gph

~22 miles per gallon



Earlier numbers at higher speed:

2640 RPM

80 mph TAS

2,500' Density Altitude

1.5 hours flight time, including taxi etc

5.5 gallons consumed

3.67 gph

~22 mpg



I am surprised that my MPG is virtually identical to the run at 80 mph. I was expecting at least a little better mpg at the slower speed. Perhaps the sweet spot for my airplane is somewhere in the middle of that range. Next flight I'll split the difference and fly at about 72-73 mph and see if there is any difference. Could be that it is a 22 mpg airplane, no matter what airspeed I fly in this range.

_________________
Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)

Don't worry about old age... it doesn't last very long.
- Anonymous

dalewhelan

Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 105
Location: USA ARIZONA fountain hills

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject: Re: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Being new to this stuff I was surprised to find GPH was the same in my plane from 50-70. Then I realized the power setting in my plane is the same for all those speeds when I have a passenger (my back seat is seldom empty) My best fuel economy is (at) 70.

_________________
Dale Whelan
503 powered Firestar II, Luscombe 8A
Projection, A simple and interesting Psychological concept

rlaird

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 373
Location: Houston

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Kolb MkIIIC w/ 912ULS

I normally cruise at 75... that's around 4500 rpm, and 3.8 gph

At 85, about 5000 rpm, and 4.2 gph.



Don't have info, yet, on slow.



  -- Robert

 On Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 9:21 PM, Eugene Zimmerman <etzimm(at)gmail.com (etzimm(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

[quote] --> Kolb-List message posted by: Eugene Zimmerman <etzimm(at)gmail.com (etzimm(at)gmail.com)>

 

 All Kolbers,

 

 I'm curious what other kolb pilots are experiencing as their gallon per hour fuel burn?

 

 What is your sustained level flight absolute minimum gal, per hr?  At what engine rpm?   And at what cruise speed?

 

 What is your over all  "average" gal. per hr.   engine rpm, and  cruise speed?

 

 Please specify the model of your plane and engine when you share your statistics.

 

 Statistic from  flights of 2 hours or longer will likely be more accurate and reliable  than shorter flights, but please share whatever you personally experience with your plane.

 

 

 

                            Eugene Zimmerman

 

 ===========

 arget="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

 ===========

 http://forums.matronics.com

 ===========

 le, List Admin.

 ="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

 ===========

 

 

 

 [b]

_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robert Laird
formerly: MkIIIc w/ 912ULS & Gyrobee
current: Autogyro Cavalon w/ 914ULS
Houston, TX area
http://www.Texas-Flyer.com

etzimm(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:27 am Post subject: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Thank you all,



I  wish to express my appreciation for everyone's  response to the  

fuel  burn query.



We apparently have quite a spread in hourly fuel use between various  

Kolb planes and pilots.



 From Jack Hart's 1.5 gph all the way to John Hauck's 582 with  5.5 gph.



  Some pilots  choose to cruise at 40/ 55 mph, others at 70/85 mph.

One pilot claims his  best fuel economy is (at) 70.

My l stats  with my modified Firestar, 618 Rotax 72" inflight IVO prop  

are ,,,,



42/ 50 mph air speed --  2 gph  as per 2 hour flight time.

60/65  mph air speed --  3.5 gph as per 2 hour flight time.

Wide open  6700 rpm climb out  7.5 gph  as per fuel flow gauge  

indication.

Thanks again to everyone who responded,



Gene Zimmerman





On Aug 31, 2009, at 10:21 PM, Eugene Zimmerman wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 All Kolbers,



 I'm curious what other kolb pilots are experiencing as their gallon  

 per hour fuel burn?



 What is your sustained level flight absolute minimum gal, per hr?   

 At what engine rpm?   And at what cruise speed?



 What is your over all  "average" gal. per hr.   engine rpm, and   

 cruise speed?



 Please specify the model of your plane and engine when you share  

 your statistics.



 Statistic from  flights of 2 hours or longer will likely be more  

 accurate and reliable  than shorter flights, but please share  

 whatever you personally experience with your plane.



                           Eugene Zimmerman

gliderx5

Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 203

Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:29 pm Post subject: Kolb gph fuel burn survey

Malcolm Morrison

MKII, 503SCSI, 3 blade Ivo

5500 RPM, 60 MPH, 3.6 GPH



---

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