Kjnastro
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2012
- Messages
- 816
- Reaction score
- 224
Hey gang!
I have reached out to a few people individually, but thought I would ask the group for some insight. I am sure there are some nuggets of wisdom out there.
This is my first real DA flying and I want to make sure I am smart about it. Field elevation is 7k, with DA usually north of 9K. 5-10 knots in the face is almost always a given.
My L4 has a C90 with the O200 crank and high torque cam. She might be pushing north of 90 horses at sea level - but let's just say 90. Not knowing what true sea level HP output is makes it a guessing game figuring out what the HP output is up here. Wood prop. Stromberg carb. No mixture control. 6k paved runway, no obstacles.
Right now I am committed to solo flight, though I feel like I have the performance for 2 place flying.
Takeoff roll is 300-400 feet or so with me easing her off. Im used to a <100 foot takeoff at sea level, but what i get up here doesn't make me nervous. That's solo with half gas, and me not rushing her off the ground. I could make it shorter but find no reason to do that. Climb is anemic compared to C90 sea level performance, but comfortable. I can make my 800' AGL pattern no problem and 1000'+ AGL by downwind without really trying.
How do I go from this data to figuring out how big of a person I can put up front? There seemed to be little published data, so personal experience seems to be what I have to use. Slowly increase fuel load? Ballast up front? I know that sounds silly, but I want to collect as much data as possible before jumping into a situation I don't want to be in.
Fly smart!
I have reached out to a few people individually, but thought I would ask the group for some insight. I am sure there are some nuggets of wisdom out there.
This is my first real DA flying and I want to make sure I am smart about it. Field elevation is 7k, with DA usually north of 9K. 5-10 knots in the face is almost always a given.
My L4 has a C90 with the O200 crank and high torque cam. She might be pushing north of 90 horses at sea level - but let's just say 90. Not knowing what true sea level HP output is makes it a guessing game figuring out what the HP output is up here. Wood prop. Stromberg carb. No mixture control. 6k paved runway, no obstacles.
Right now I am committed to solo flight, though I feel like I have the performance for 2 place flying.
Takeoff roll is 300-400 feet or so with me easing her off. Im used to a <100 foot takeoff at sea level, but what i get up here doesn't make me nervous. That's solo with half gas, and me not rushing her off the ground. I could make it shorter but find no reason to do that. Climb is anemic compared to C90 sea level performance, but comfortable. I can make my 800' AGL pattern no problem and 1000'+ AGL by downwind without really trying.
How do I go from this data to figuring out how big of a person I can put up front? There seemed to be little published data, so personal experience seems to be what I have to use. Slowly increase fuel load? Ballast up front? I know that sounds silly, but I want to collect as much data as possible before jumping into a situation I don't want to be in.
Fly smart!
