Todd - I read your post with great interest since I have  55 + 18 gallon
tanks  for my -6a which have yet to be put to use.  I was expecting to read
how you threw out the textbooks before landing, but then that would have
been a serious test of balance.  you should have put 16 gallons of water
back there and one of your EWP's!  you could get rated for fire fighting and
make big bucks.  sounds like my 2400nm trip to the round up may not win an
award now. (hey, they never said anything about the lyc. part)
Kevin Lane  Portland, OR
e-mail-> n3773@comcast.net
web-> http://home.comcast.net/~n3773
(browse w/ internet explorer)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Todd Bartrim" <haywire@telus.net>
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 12:25 AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Gross Weight climb test


> 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 :-)
>
>
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