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-   -   How well does an RV-9 climb? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=146784)

airguy 02-20-2017 08:04 AM

I did a climb to 17,500 yesterday to check out my oxygen system after working on the regulator (yes, with a fingertip blood sat checker), I didn't specifically watch the time-to-climb but I was up and back down again in 36 minutes. My home strip is 2700' and I climbed at 1000/min until 10,000', then climbed at 95 knots after that, I was still climbing at 500/min when the autopilot leveled at 17,500.

IO360, Whirlwind prop.

Steve Melton 02-21-2017 10:09 AM

those are good numbers.

PilotjohnS 02-21-2017 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Melton (Post 1151935)
those are good numbers.

Steve, your configuration is going to be closer to mine. What do you plan for cruise and what climb rate and speed do you use for everyday missions. Lastly any high altitude speeds and fuel flow?

Steve Melton 02-22-2017 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilotjohnS (Post 1152085)
Steve, your configuration is going to be closer to mine. What do you plan for cruise and what climb rate and speed do you use for everyday missions. Lastly any high altitude speeds and fuel flow?

I have become slower after painting or I'm loafing the engine more or maybe it's the dreaded paint weight. I plan at 140 kts cruise, normal climb =700 fpm. Fast climb on takeoff at 90kt >2000 fpm when OAT < 3C. On the last flight from Kansas to Cincy at 11.5K my TAS was 139 at 2200 RPM burning 5.7 gph, OAT =1C. On that flight I had a great tailwind (like 50 kts) and burned 21 gal for 600 nm.

N941WR 02-22-2017 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Melton (Post 1152392)
I have become slower after painting or I'm loafing the engine more. I plan at 140 kts and normal climb =700 fpm. Fast climb on takeoff at 90kt >2000 fpm when OAT < 3C. On the last flight from Kansas to Cincy at 11.5K my TAS was 139 at 2200 RPM burning 5.7 gph, OAT =1C.

You must be down around 50% power for those speeds? Those numbers exactly match what I saw when I had the O-290 in my -9, only my RPM would be up on the 2600 RPM redline (fixed pitch prop). All that worked out to around 60 - 65% power for that little engine that could.

With the O-360 I typically cruise it at 50 to 55% power which works out to 150 to 155 knots and 7 GPH. Up in the teens, it can burn a much lower fuel numbers while keeping the speed up there.

Steve Melton 02-22-2017 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N941WR (Post 1152399)
You must be down around 50% power for those speeds? Those numbers exactly match what I saw when I had the O-290 in my -9, only my RPM would be up on the 2600 RPM redline (fixed pitch prop).

With the O-360 I typically cruise it at 50 to 55% power which works out to 150 to 155 knots and 7 GPH. Up in the teens, it can burn a much lower fuel numbers while keeping the speed up there.

11.5K my TAS was 139 at 2200 RPM burning 5.7 gph, OAT =1C

Calculated by my spreadsheet, to memory of MP =20 Hg = 54% power.

And... I don't drive as fast as I used to. Maybe there's a correlation.

airguy 02-23-2017 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N941WR (Post 1152399)
With the O-360 I typically cruise it at 50 to 55% power which works out to 150 to 155 knots and 7 GPH. Up in the teens, it can burn a much lower fuel numbers while keeping the speed up there.

I like to cruise high, in the midteens usually, and typically I will see the same TAS of 150-155 on fuel burn of 6.4-6.6.

N941WR 02-23-2017 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airguy (Post 1152492)
I like to cruise high, in the midteens usually, and typically I will see the same TAS of 150-155 on fuel burn of 6.4-6.6.

Some time back I posted this.

159 knots @ 5.2 GPH. Not bad at all! I love the -9 wing!

airguy 02-23-2017 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N941WR (Post 1152511)
Some time back I posted this.

159 knots @ 5.2 GPH. Not bad at all! I love the -9 wing!

Ok, you might win bragging rights on that one for now - but just let me get my injector orifices (orificii?) dialed in and we'll play a little... :D

In any case, I get asked all the time what kind of efficiency I get and I normally respond with "I flight plan 160 knots true at 8 gph." More than once I've been called a liar straight to my face. I just shrug my shoulders and smile, it's not my job to make believers out of the spam-canners.

PilotjohnS 02-23-2017 09:45 AM

Thanks
 
Thanks for the data; great stuff


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