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Looking at data I saved from when I had the O235 engine and fixed pitch
prop, I had airspeeds of around 140 kts at 2500 RPM and around 160 kts at 2700
RPM.
This was with a Warnke 62" dia
72" pitch 2-blade wood
propeller.
If you are getting the engine up above
2500 RPM, then I would suspect your airspeed system has some kind of
problem. Take another flight with a GPS and see what speeds you
get.
Bob Belshe
Moraga,
CA
Lancair 235/320
http://home.comcast.net/~rbelshe/
A close friend has a pristine Lancair 200 that he has asked me to fly
and then render opinion on the aircraft's performance. It
looks great and has obvious excellent workmanship in its construction.
After a thorough annual condition inspection, I flew it and found that it was
seriously lacking in power. In fact, with just 10 degrees of flaps and
gear extended, it never accelerated beyond 60 knots (though it was
simultaneously rising at about 400 ft per minute). I didn't immediately
retract the gear because I was concerned that the plane was flying just above
stall. In the traffic pattern, I retracted the gear and got just 78
knots - still with 10 degrees flap. I landed uneventfully.
There was no abnormal balance or control of the airplane and, in fact, its
construction symmetry is nearly perfect. Jack test of the landing gear
showed completely flush retract of gear and doors - not likely that something
was dragging. This plane has an 0200 engine with 9 to 1
pistons producing some extra horsepower; perhaps a total of 115.
Its prop is a light weight (27 lbs) cockpit adjustable, electric
IVOPROP.
Does performance sound right for such an early version
aircraft? Who has had experience in these underpowered planes?
What performance numbers should we be seeing? Without more power and
speed, I would be reluctant to take on a passenger for flight.
Greg Nelson
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