Author: "Brandon Dixon" <dixon@...> Time: Thu Feb 19, 2004 11:06 pm PST Link
Hi all,
About two months ago I posted a first flight notice for my RV-7A N147BD.
Several people were very interested in performance numbers of my plane,
and now I'm ready to talk numbers.
My plane is a very close to "stock" 7A, with an ECI/Superior parts new
O-360 with 9.5/1 compression pistons and two mags. I have the Hartzell
blended airfoil prop. I don't have a final weight yet (it's still not
painted), but I believe that I'm a little under 1100#s at the moment,
it's still changing. And by the way, I've got 80 hours on it now (these
things must be fun....)
For the first several hours, I didn't have any gear/wheel fairings on
the plane. I made 3 different runs on three different days at 8K
pressure altitude. All were done WOT (approx 22.5") and 2500 rpm. This
gave me a consistent 156kts true.
I was spending so much time flying that it was tough to actually work on
the plane. I was busy changing the oil, and doing enough inspections to
feel comfortable. I had not even started the work on the fairings, so
it took me a while to even get the gear leg fairings on there. Once the
gear leg fairings were in place (still no wheel pants) some more runs at
8k put the TAS at about 166kts.
I got the nose wheel fairing on next, and I never did a very scientific
test, but I really didn't see that much difference in airspeed. This
had me thinking that the main wheel fairings weren't going to help
anything like the gear leg fairings.
Well, I finished the main wheel fairings last week, and I was pleasantly
surprised. I've done some 8k tests again and now the WOT 2500rpm speed
is 174kts. This speed is solo with about 3/4 fuel. I've still got some
minor areas to clean up, but I figure that this stuff is mostly
cosmetic, but I'll take an extra speed that shows up.
I flew to Mobile, AL from Tuscaloosa yesterday and got 194kts!!! across
the ground on the way down and 160kts coming back. Enough said.
As far as climb performance goes, I did time a climb to 8500' indicated
from my home airport at 200'. The timer started on the ground roll and
took 4:30 (again solo 3/4 fuel). I seem to loose 3-400'/min with two
aboard and full fuel. The difference in solo/light fuel vs. full
fuel/two aboard is dramatic. The numbers are still good, but the plane
just feels sluggish when heavy. This is of course just because it feels
so good when it's light. I wish that I could have the feel that it has
with 10 gallons and solo all the time. Van says it all the time, now
I've felt it: KEEP IT LIGHT.
I'd say Van's numbers are right on target.
Brandon Dixon
N147BD RV-7A
80 hours/two months and loving it.
Author: "John" <jadams@...> Time: Sat Feb 21, 2004 12:41 pm PST Link
--- In RV7and7A@yahoogroups.com, "Brandon Dixon" <dixon@c...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> About two months ago I posted a first flight notice for my RV-7A
N147BD.
> Several people were very interested in performance numbers of my
plane,
> and now I'm ready to talk numbers.
Brandon,
Thanks for sharing the great information! I'm a couple months away
from my first flight.
John Adams
Author: "David Domeier" <davidd010@...> Time: Sat Feb 21, 2004 4:44 pm PST Link
Good work, Brandon.
Your airplane is performing very well with over 1800 fpm to 8500'.
Thanks for posting the numbers.
Hope the paint job with its extra weight doesn't slow you too
much :).
dd
RV7
Author: "Richard & Roberta Hegy" <rhegy@...> Time: Sat Feb 21, 2004 4:44 pm PST Link
Thanks, Brandon!!! I am also about a month from my firat flight.
Roberta
----- Original Message -----
From: John
To: RV7and7A@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 11:12 AM
Subject: [RV7Yahoo] Re: Two months with my RV
--- In RV7and7A@yahoogroups.com, "Brandon Dixon" <dixon@c...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> About two months ago I posted a first flight notice for my RV-7A
N147BD.
> Several people were very interested in performance numbers of my
plane,
> and now I'm ready to talk numbers.
Brandon,
Thanks for sharing the great information! I'm a couple months away
from my first flight.
John Adams
Van's Air Force - World Wide Wing
www.vansaircraft.net
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