rickofudall
Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Posts: 1392
Location: Udall, KS, USA
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 Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject: Testing gross weight |
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Finished the weight testing of the aircraft this afternoon. I started with one 80 lb. bag and worked up to three for a gross weight of 1201 lb. I flew one take off and a full stop landing with each and then one more flight with three bags to 3000' AGL to test the approach stall at that weight. Take off roll on grass was roughly 1000'. At the end of the runway I had 300' of altitude. After that climb rate dropped to 300 to 400 feet per minute with the engine turning at 6400 rpm. I also evaluated cruise speed at that gross weight. At 5800 rpm the airplane can maintain level flight at 60 mph IAS. The stall occurred at 46 mph with a distinct break without wing drop. I held the aircraft in stalling attitude for approximately five seconds. According to my variometer the descent rate was 1500 fpm or more (that's the end of its scale). Recovery required only relaxing the back pressure on the stick and she resumed flying. The rest of the flight was a pretty leisurely descent with the engine turning 4500 rpm to keep its heat up (it was 52 degrees at flight time). I shot the approach at 65 to 70 until I was into ground affect then let it settle at 60 until round out. So it can be done, but I wouldn't want to do it if the air temperature was much over 70 or the thermals were normal Kansas strength.
Rick Girard
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Zulu Delta
Mk IIIC
Thanks, Homer GBYM
It isn't necessary to have relatives in Kansas City in order to be unhappy.
- Groucho Marx
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