Jaunt in the Tailwind

[Lionheart]

Hey all,

No.. Not advertising my own planes, lol.. Took the Tailwind up today to Flagstaff out of Phoenix. I wanted to see how fast I could get there. In the car its about 1:05 to 1:10 (Hour and ten min's) if traffic is smooth.

So, dialed in the same time of day, hopped in my fave green striped show bird, and off I went. Climbout was to 10,000 feet, held the throttle in the high green zone for a fast cruise trip. Weather was fair, low winds, some clouds here and there.

Having a nice power to weight ratio and just me in the plane, I was able to get to 10,000 before I got to far North of town. Then I just watched the scenery, looked for Prescott off to the left, then found the huge mountain at Flagstaff on the horizon and used that as my target, though I mainly flew along Interstate I-17 most of the way.

Great flight. Made it down smoothly, 3 pointer landing.

Time: 42 min's from start up to shut down, taxiing included.
Average speed: 173 MPH or 148 Knots Ground Speed (GPS)
Fuel: 60.6 pounds; roughly 10.1 gallons US.


Not too shabby. :d I would say flying time was about 35 min's. Average speed was almost twice that of the ground highway speedlimit, which averages 75 MPH minus construction zones and town zones (65 MPH).



Bill

 

[OleBoy]

Whether you're advertising or not, that's a damn nice plane. Which I'm sorry to say, I don't have. It sounds like the flight went well. In the RW it would make sense to fly.. to beat the headaches of all the construction, accidents and everything else in that line.

Great shots

Once I get my new PC, I'll be sure to pick that one up from you. Pinching pennies

 

[Wing_Z]

Great to see you're enjoying your own work - now that's commitment
How's the fuel consumption work out, car vs aircraft?

 

[Lionheart]

Great to see you're enjoying your own work - now that's commitment
How's the fuel consumption work out, car vs aircraft?

Thanks guys.

Wing Z,

I think its more economical, but 10 gallons US of AV fuel is pricey. I think its about $6.00 a gallon here, so the actual price would be higher, but I have heard 'time is money', so there may be a payoff in the equasion.


Bill

 

[Firebar]

Love the tailwind, liked the look of them since I saw the EAA article on them a while back, this one is luvverly.

On fuel prices $6/gallon isn't that pricey. try converting the uk prices for av gas to the same format as the us ones..... then you get pricey.

My local airfield is...

£1.52 per litre
£5.75 per US Gallon
$9.52 per US Gallon

 

[Lionheart]

Love the tailwind, liked the look of them since I saw the EAA article on them a while back, this one is luvverly.

On fuel prices $6/gallon isn't that pricey. try converting the uk prices for av gas to the same format as the us ones..... then you get pricey.

My local airfield is...

£1.52 per litre
£5.75 per US Gallon
$9.52 per US Gallon

YIKES!!!!!

Goodness...

Too bad we cannot run these engines on regular automotive fuel.. Perhaps have some basic additives.

Crazy.



Bill

 

[Firebar]

yeah but it don't get much better, the petrol station at the bottom of the road is about £1.10/litre for both petrol and diesel. I think its so bad here because the government has such a high duty on fuels (something like 50%) the only cheap fuel is red diesel which can only be used commercially and for boats.

the problem wih mogas is the ethanol in it, the old lycoming style engines have issues with it. The ethanol is good as it increases the power output (with a higher compression ratio) so there are new generation engines under development.

I'm just glad i'm not incharge of paying for the Vulcan's a1, think about how much that uses....

sorry if i'm boring!

it is nice to whinge occasionally though.

 

[Lionheart]

yeah but it don't get much better, the petrol station at the bottom of the road is about £1.10/litre for both petrol and diesel. I think its so bad here because the government has such a high duty on fuels (something like 50%) the only cheap fuel is red diesel which can only be used commercially and for boats.

the problem wih mogas is the ethanol in it, the old lycoming style engines have issues with it. The ethanol is good as it increases the power output (with a higher compression ratio) so there are new generation engines under development.

I'm just glad i'm not incharge of paying for the Vulcan's a1, think about how much that uses....

sorry if i'm boring!

it is nice to whinge occasionally though.

Good to know FireBar.


I remember reading an article on Henry Fords invention, his little motor runabout. It was powered by a waist by-product chemical born of the creatoin of Kerosene which was used for oil lamps and steam powered cars, etc. This residual chemical was called 'gasoline' and the companies that made it didnt know what to do with it. Henry figured he would make an engine that ran on it.

If only we had such pioneers that could create new engines that ran on waste products, but that would manage a clean exhaust burn as well. I still think Hydrogen is the way to go as it can be derived from water.



Bill

 

[Chacha]

I still think Hydrogen is the way to go as it can be derived from water.



Bill

I agree.... Incredible Hydrogen Power!

 

[Firebar]

Yes but how do you get the energy to slpit the water via electrolysis? isn't that still going to come from (esp in the UK) coal fired (or otherwise) powerstations? My personal view is that Bioethanol, when produced properly may be the best way to go. It's Carbon Neutral and therefore good but the argument aginst it is that the crops to produce it are displacing food crops and causing deforestation. However with the correct management it could work well.

(Thankyou GCSE Coursework for that....)

Nuclear Fission also might or might not work, although not (methinks) for aircraft unles somone revives the NB-36H

Sorry I'm thread Hijacking aren't I. I'll shut up now.

 

[Lionheart]

Yes but how do you get the energy to slpit the water via electrolysis? isn't that still going to come from (esp in the UK) coal fired (or otherwise) powerstations?

I figure they have to go to such extents to make fuel, its only a similar system (alot of work, etc) to do Hydrogen, except that we will not be mining it from the ground (wells that is) and not financing evil countries with dark paths, nor having oil tankers wrecking in Alaska, damaging countless forms of life and ecology structures.

My personal view is that Bioethanol, when produced properly may be the best way to go. It's Carbon Neutral and therefore good but the argument aginst it is that the crops to produce it are displacing food crops and causing deforestation. However with the correct management it could work well.

I am all for this. Its about time. The difference between crude and raising plants for fuel is;
* Plants do not have to be 'found' and tapped with oil wells
* Can be done locally
* Farmers make good money doing this, where before, they were starving and going out of business
* The plants, when alive, are generating oxygen during the day. :d

Nuclear Fission also might or might not work, although not (methinks) for aircraft unles somone revives the NB-36H

This would be awesome. I believe there are 'free energy' forms of generators that can still be developed. Goodness, even solar energy can be improved. Imagine focusing the sun through many multiple lenses to create ultra high intensity light for use to heat up a coolant that will power a steam turbine generator. No gas, no radiation, just pure power. Just add water, store the electricity in a huge grid of batteries.

Sorry I'm thread Hijacking aren't I. I'll shut up now.

Great to know these things.

I am presently making a plane (for FS) that will have a optional hybrid powerplant, hydrogen and solar/bat electric. The electric side would run for 1 hour, the Hydrogen side would give you perhaps 4 to 5 hours economy cruise. Solar cells inside the wings charge the electrics by day and you have a set of wings that would make for an excellent glide ratio.

No av fuel, if you are flying say 45 min's away, you could fly fully electric and if you are not in a hurry, the sun will recharge the bats for you, (if its sunny out, lol).

One firm in China are prepairing to launch the Yuneek electric plane. Testing has already begun. Incredibly quiet little bird. 3 hours charge time.

[YOUTUBE]TwyyQ1BckK0[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]x49zkSvbdyM[/YOUTUBE]



Bill

 

[Firebar]

(if its sunny out, lol).

I live in england, fat chance!

The hybrid plane sounds very interesing, must be complicated to put together though, lots of specialist xml stuff methinks.

I was trying to find an article in Gobbledegook monthly (RAeS Journal) which I thought might interest you but I can't find it . All I remember is it was about the best possible methods of premanent, self sustaining flight by UAVs, might be worth a search on the Royal Aeronautical Society site if you can get in.

 

[T6flyer]

Love the tailwind, liked the look of them since I saw the EAA article on them a while back, this one is luvverly.

On fuel prices $6/gallon isn't that pricey. try converting the uk prices for av gas to the same format as the us ones..... then you get pricey.

My local airfield is...

£1.52 per litre
£5.75 per US Gallon
$9.52 per US Gallon

I've just been in a Broussard touring France and Belgium for twelve days and we used over a 1000 litres in some 13 hours of flying!

Fuel prices on the continent were higher than our UK prices, but the trip was worth it. Just dont think we will go often thats all!!

Martin

 

[jhefner]

Time: 42 min's from start up to shut down, taxiing included.
Average speed: 173 MPH or 148 Knots Ground Speed (GPS)
Fuel: 60.6 pounds; roughly 10.1 gallons US.


Not too shabby. :d I would say flying time was about 35 min's. Average speed was almost twice that of the ground highway speedlimit, which averages 75 MPH minus construction zones and town zones (65 MPH).

I gave this idea of commuting by private plane serious thought (don't have the cash to do it though); since I live a stone's throw from one airport, and drive 60 miles to work at another airport.

Only problem is when going by air, you also have to take into consideration:

1. Drive time to the airport, then park and lock your car (though I could ride my bike)
2. Time to file your flight plan, and recieve a weather report
3. Time to do a preflight inspection.
4. Time to tie down the plane when you arrive.

I decided these items alone would cancel out the time I gained in the air. My destination is also in a busy corridor, so I may also get vectored around a little, and have to wait for a landing slot. Unless driving conditions were really bad (i.e. traffic due to construction or a wreck), driving would probably still be faster; bad weather would affect both means of travel.

-James

 

[Lionheart]

I gave this idea of commuting by private plane serious thought (don't have the cash to do it though); since I live a stone's throw from one airport, and drive 60 miles to work at another airport.

Only problem is when going by air, you also have to take into consideration:

1. Drive time to the airport, then park and lock your car (though I could ride my bike)
2. Time to file your flight plan, and recieve a weather report
3. Time to do a preflight inspection.
4. Time to tie down the plane when you arrive.

I decided these items alone would cancel out the time I gained in the air. My destination is also in a busy corridor, so I may also get vectored around a little, and have to wait for a landing slot. Unless driving conditions were really bad (i.e. traffic due to construction or a wreck), driving would probably still be faster; bad weather would affect both means of travel.

-James

Dang! Well, you could do it on special occasions.

There was one guy here in Arizona that was flying from his house (property) to his construction site (a stretch of highway they were redoing). He would land on a dirt road and work, then head home in the evening. No airport, etc.

Must be nice.

I think it was a cub. Slow flyer, lands anywhere..

 

[T6flyer]

We met a chap at Beaune, who lived in Monaco and flew from Cannes, whose daughter the night before sampled a bottle of wine. Not being able to get any where he lived, he duly got in his Baron and flew all the way North just to get five more bottles!!!

Thats what I call dedication!

Martin

 

[Lionheart]

We met a chap at Beaune, who lived in Monaco and flew from Cannes, whose daughter the night before sampled a bottle of wine. Not being able to get any where he lived, he duly got in his Baron and flew all the way North just to get five more bottles!!!

Thats what I call dedication!

Martin

Man...! That must be some very very good vino!

What kind of plane was he flying? (Guessing a TB-21GT)


Bill

 

[T6flyer]

It was a Beech Baron.

Martin

 

[OleBoy]

Lionheart

I found this while looking around

 

[Lionheart]

Hey thanks Ole Boy!

Thats a cool paint scheme. I have seen one like it in Red instead of Green. Totally different look.

Little rocket ships...!

Bill