PILOT SPIN
Pilot Zone => Pilot Zone => Topic started by: acrogimp on May 06, 2017, 08:05:52 PM
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Went up to Chino today for the Planes of Fame Airshow (best damn warbird airshow in the US) with WifeyGimp, my friend Ryan whom I had not flown with yet and his hangar neighbor. While we had a great time, the weather was marginal when we flew up to Chino (scud running), and at the end of the show the weather was looking less than marginal, so we decided to file and fly IFR on the way back.
Ryan's PA-32-300 fixed gear Saratoga is awesomely equipped (GTN 750/650 combo, GTX 345 with bluetooth out for Garmin Pilot on my Samsung Note 10). He is a recently minted IFR pilot and was excited to have another Instrument Rated pilot with him - I got to hand fly the 'Toga in hard IMC for almost 40 minutes including the GPS 17 approach into Gillespie, I hadn't hand flown in actual for a long time, was a great flight.
We got along so well in the cockpit, and I apparently flew well enough, that we have committed to flying together more often to help us both stay current - nice way to do it.
'Gimp
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Getting my Mooney. a man today. Soon the IFR GPS that's been sitting in the hangar will goon the panel. Thence I have some training to do.
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Awesome! Always good to get some IMC practice. What does a fixed gear Saratoga cruise at?
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Awesome! Always good to get some IMC practice. What does a fixed gear Saratoga cruise at?
We had 150 kt ground speeds on way up at 2500' and 135-ish on way back at 7000' with some weird winds and downdrafts - really comfy machine, 4-up with light baggage in both the front and rear cargo holds. I have always liked the concept of the Cherokee Six/Saratoga family but hadn't flown one yet although I have tons of time in the A-36 Bonanza - still prefer the Bo' but the 'Toga is a nice machine and the two baggage areas really give you more flexibility - cabin is wider too.
'Gimp
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We had 150 kt ground speeds on way up at 2500' and 135-ish on way back at 7000' with some weird winds and downdrafts - really comfy machine, 4-up with light baggage in both the front and rear cargo holds. I have always liked the concept of the Cherokee Six/Saratoga family but hadn't flown one yet although I have tons of time in the A-36 Bonanza - still prefer the Bo' but the 'Toga is a nice machine and the two baggage areas really give you more flexibility - cabin is wider too.
'Gimp
Not too bad, then. I've always liked the cabin class style of the Saratoga family as opposed to the straight seating of most others.
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We had 150 kt ground speeds on way up at 2500' and 135-ish on way back at 7000' with some weird winds and downdrafts - really comfy machine, 4-up with light baggage in both the front and rear cargo holds. I have always liked the concept of the Cherokee Six/Saratoga family but hadn't flown one yet although I have tons of time in the A-36 Bonanza - still prefer the Bo' but the 'Toga is a nice machine and the two baggage areas really give you more flexibility - cabin is wider too.
'Gimp
Gimp, what KTAS do you flight plan for the Yak at 65%, and 75% at altitude? What power do you typically fly when going cross country.
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Gimp, what KTAS do you flight plan for the Yak at 65%, and 75% at altitude? What power do you typically fly when going cross country.
Loaded question... ;^)
Depends on solo vs formation of course.
Solo I fly as high as comfortable since we don't have a mixture control (automagic pressure adjusted carb), typically 8500-9500', pull prop back to 70% speed and I will see 125-130 kts true and about 13-14 gph, flight plan at 120 though and I limit legs to no more than 1:30 duration. Fuel consumption for us is mostly dictated by RPM.
Technically we can cruise oversquare and set 65% RPM and whatever manifold pressure we can get WOT but it slows down more than it reduces fuel consumption in my limited experience.
Next planned major mod is to replace metal fuel tanks with fuel bladders and get another hour of gas in it for when I need it/want it.
'Gimp
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Loaded question... ;^)
Loaded answer. :)
Next planned major mod is to replace metal fuel tanks with fuel bladders and get another hour of gas in it for when I need it/want it.
I am sure that will be welcome. Hope you don't lose much useful load.