Round the World in a RV-9A - Page 10

N42AH · #91 07-31-2018, 09:08 AM

Have been watching this from the beginning since I once had an RV-9A.

If he was trying to go from Pago Pago (NSTU) direct to Hilo (PHTO) a distance of 2235 miles and had to divert to Christmas Island (CXI) because of fuel. He will have his hands full going from Hilo to Concord (KCCR) which is 2037 miles. He is going to need some good tail winds with only a total of 124 or so gallons total. His decision/ turn around point will be around 30 to 40% of the initial distance I would guess.

AlexPeterson · #92 07-31-2018, 10:09 AM

I'd think he's in the 5 gph range of fuel burn for max distance, perhaps a bit less. He's got 25 hours endurance to empty at that rate. I'd guess he'll land in CA with 4 or 5 hours' fuel remaining.

John - curious minds here, fuel burn details please!

N42AH · #93 07-31-2018, 10:41 AM

If he had that endurance, why did he divert the Christmas Island because of fuel? Must have been really windy

Larco · #94 07-31-2018, 11:41 AM

I thought from looking at the planned route he had a fuel stop at Christmas Island CXI? No?

N42AH · #95 07-31-2018, 03:14 PM

I saw that also, but if you look at his flight track it looks like he turned to Christmas Island after his initial routed looked direct to Hilo...still a long way to swim no matter how you look at it.

jrs14855 · #96 07-31-2018, 05:39 PM

Prior to Voyager, I consider the all time greatest flight in a small airplane to be Max Conrad's Capetown to St Petersburg flight in the Twin Commanche. Approximately 7000 miles for the record but the actual mileage was significantly greater. Approximately 8 gallons per hour average for both engines. IO 320's with Hartzell props. Near the end he was likely below six gallons hr total. A carburated 320 will burn considerably more, close to 1 gallon per hr more at 75%, depending on the individual engine.
So 5 gallons hr should be very doable in the 9A.
One of the posts mentions max endurance. Max endurance is irrelavent to long distance flight. Max long range cruise is the important factor, and this is virtually always well above max endurance speed.

edneff · #97 08-03-2018, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs14855

Prior to Voyager, I consider the all time greatest flight in a small airplane to be Max Conrad's Capetown to St Petersburg flight in the Twin Commanche.

That's an amazing distance to cover non stop. Lots of alternates along the route.

edneff · #98 08-03-2018, 12:30 PM

I just posted a progress update for N944JK in the General discussion section. One leg to go, but looking at a delay. He needs to find shelter from the storm for his airplane.

Larco · #99 08-05-2018, 06:20 PM

Is it possible to get an update on the progress and we hope his hold up at Hilo is a minor one.

edneff · #**100** 08-06-2018, 08:47 PM

Thanks to all of those who reached out to John and helped him get "May" in a hangar until he can start his final leg of the journey. What a great community we have! He's very appreciative of all the support he has gotten from VAF and the GA population.

John will be working on the aircraft and awaiting favorable conditions and hopefully will be under way again soon.