Teaching an old Beech new tricks...

Willy

Willy

Administrator
Staff member
As many hours as I have in this old Beech 18, I've never really tried any aerobatics in it until now. A good as she flies right side up, she's pretty unstable inverted and hard to hold that way. But she does a great hammerhead and barrel rolls.

O'course, my copilot Fred isn't liking any of this....
 
It is simply a question of staying within the aircrafts G limits. A correctly executed roll or loop are not going outside the normal category limits.

The next consideration then is the oil system on the engine of your ride. Can it supply the vital lubricant for extended periods of pulling or pushing. Again the normal category rating should ensure that you have that. The only catch there is on the negative side of things.

Since negative G's in normal flight occurr for only very short periods, such as in turbulence or the occasional hamfisted level off after climbing a normal category engine does not have to be rated or equipped for negative G's.

So the negative G maneuvers would be the ones I would worry about. That would include flying inverted with an engine not equipped to do so. Carburetor bowls run dry inverted and as with negative G loading oil may not be able to be picked up in the sump. Both of which are not conducive to a long engine life under power.

Cheers
Stefan
 
Having seen Matt Younkin fly his Beech 18 a couple times, and comparing his style to the great Bob Hoover, I would almost bet he (Matt) studied Bob's style carefully. His presentation and smooth style is very close to Bob's. I never got to see Matt's dad Bobby Younkin fly the Beech, but I did see him many times fly their super Waco.
 
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