235/320/360 drivers -

 

On 15 January, I left Chicago (KARR) to go to the Recurrency Training in Sebring with a stop in Tampa (3FD1) to visit friends.  Here are some interesting stats.

 

My usual VFR route is KARR-> DCY(avoid TFR)-> KGAD(fuel)-> TDG(avoid prohib area)-> CTY(avoid tethered balloon)-> 3FD1 for a total distance of 877 NM. The winds aloft forecast indicated tailwind components of 30 to 50 Kts at 9500 feet - all the way to FL - very unusual.  Taking off at 9 am CST, I arrived at my destination a mere 3.9 hours later with 13.2 gallons remaining in my 43 gallon tanks.  Yep, 34.5 statute miles per gallon.  After flying into headwinds for the last 3 years, this was beautiful - no gas stop, no turbulence.

 

Over East Central IL at 9500 feet (-1*C OAT), Dalt 8840, 169 IAS, 192 TAS, 241 GS

22.4 MAP (WOT), 2510 RPM running 50*F LOP, 7.4 gph

  CHT EGT

1 320 1350

2 340 1350

3 350 1360

4 350 1360

 

WOW!

 

By the time I reached Gadsden, AL (no fuel needed) the OAT had gone to 10*C and the Dalt to 10400 (Sucking O2 now) but the GS was down to 225 - I averaged 227 NM/hr for the trip.

 

Of course, I paid the piper on the return (22 January).  Similar winds had me at 4500/6500/5500 feet with diversion to KPAH after the Gadsden fuel stop to lessen the "blow" angle in IL.  A mere 5.8 hours in the air for the opportunity to go from +20*C to -17*C.  Am I crazy or what?  The heater worked well in the sun, down to about -5C - after that I used a chart over my right leg and a glove on my right hand to keep the cold air coming in the console from forming frost on my body.  I ran LOP on the KGAD->KPAH leg to conserve fuel and WOT, best power for the Illinois portion.  The average trip speed was about 160 Kts.  The round trip average was about 193 Kts - Hmmmm.... pretty close to my TAS.