Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #12549
From: Russell Duffy <13brv3@bellsouth.net>
Subject: RE: [FlyRotary] Can happen to us all was Phase one complete, official climb results disappointing
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 07:57:27 -0600
To: 'Rotary motors in aircraft' <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Message
I find your data very interesting.  While I still need to do more testing, my best ROC with the new combination still appears to be 120 MPH IAS.  I consistently get 1600-1800 FPM now and have even pegged the VSI at 2000 fpm on one occasion.  I attempted one time to use a slower airspeed but it seemed to load the engine and my ROC decreased.  But, these are preliminary data. 
 
Thanks for the comments Ed.   I'll legitimately make 3000 fpm eventually, but it'll just be for bragging rights.  Let's see... winter, low fuel, NOS :-)
 
As for climb speeds, a typical RV climbs best around 120 mph, but my RV-3 has always wanted to climb slower than that.  I believe the best climb rate was even lower in the early turbo days.  The only explanation I can come up with is that the airframe drag is still significant enough to negate the normal advantage of climbing at a faster speed.  I think the wheel pants helped raise the speed some, and over the next couple months, I'm going to try to clean up the airframe a bit more.  I need to install the cowl cheek extensions, intersection fairings, and do something with the lower cowl to try to cover the front of the muffler.   I really do need to finish the major items so I can get valid numbers and send the prop back for final finishing.   I'm only turning 6600 rpm at full throttle at 8000 feet, and I'd like that to be closer to 7200.  The airframe cleanup might get me the extra speed I'm looking for, in TAS, and RPM. 
 
As you know, it's a never ending project.  That's the good news, since I need something to keep me interested. 
 
Cheers,
Rusty
 
  
 
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