Today I did my gross weight climb test which is required in Canada (not
sure if it is in the US). I was a little nervous about it, but everything
went great. I loaded up all 6 tanks for an 84usg total strapped down a
backpack full of climbing gear and an inflatable boat (100 lbs total) into
the cargo, then filled a large hockey bag with my tech books from the last
several years of school (128 lbs - I guess they were good for something),
which I was able to buckle securely into the passenger seat. The formula
that I used to determine minimum climb rate, worked out to 890' in 3
minutes, which I was certain I could attain.
Gross weight was 2108 lbs and I rotated at 85mph using full power (6psi
boost). Initial climb rate was 1500'/min, slowing to 1000'/min. I held this
steady until my temps (both oil & water) exceeded 210F (in 2 minutes) then I
reduced power for the final minute of the test for a final result of 2400'
in 3 minutes. I'd like to see a little better cooling, but considering the
weight I'm satisfied that the test was easily passed.
The aircraft was very stable at this weight, so while at altitude I did a
clean stall, then checked power off descent rate (900'/min). I was
uncomfortable landing at this weight, as I had planned the extra fuel to be
used only for long flights, but to I just didn't have time this weekend for
a long flight. It turned out to be a non-issue thanks to my AOA indicators.
As I fly all my approaches by AOA instead of airspeed, the speeds were
perfect and I just greased it softly onto the runway. It went so perfectly,
I won't feel nervous at all about doing it again when the time comes for me
to do a long cross country/ocean trip. (maybe non-stop to Oshkosh - next
year)(or 1 stop to the round-up :-)