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10-12-2008, 03:24 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 187
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Weight control...
I'm about to start a 6 project but am new to aluminium aircraft construction. Aside from the ongoing debate on priming or not, and watching the amount of gadetry installed, does anyone have any good advice on keeping weight down? Apart that is from going on a diet...
Thanks!
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10-12-2008, 03:40 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,151
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Craig wellcome!
There is a wealth of information on this site on weight reduction. Do search. Build it light and keep it simple - that the message from RV gurus here. You do not need to go on diet yourself..
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10-12-2008, 03:44 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: KSLC
Posts: 4,021
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My (newly flying) 6A is on the heavy side at 1172 lbs. It does have an older/heavy starter, along with six pac instruments that are heavier than the new electronic panels. It has 2 axis auto-pilots too, along with an oxygen tank behind the right seat.
But.................it's fast! It easily outdistances the two 9A's I fly with, and is only slightly slower than another 6A. But then I don't have the main wheel pants installed either. I'm still breaking it in.
It has a Lycoming 0360 AIA, and Hartzell C/S prop. Personally, I'd rather have some of the necessities for a pleasurable long distant cross-country; than keeping it light, with a small engine and fixed pitch prop. But that's me..
L.Adamson
Last edited by L.Adamson : 10-12-2008 at 03:46 PM.
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10-12-2008, 04:28 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 187
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Thanks for your responses gents.
I'm probably tending more towards simple and light, but each to their own on that issue as it's a purely personal choice. I've done a couple of searches on weight reduction/weight control and there's a lot of responses, I just need to sort through them!
Any other comments would be appreciated...
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10-12-2008, 04:55 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
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I see under your "interest" that you are looking at the RV-6. My RV-6 weighs in at 1031 lbs. with a hopped up O-320 and a 3-blade Catto prop. It will cruise at 201 mph TAS @75% power. I typically cruise at about 65% at just over 170 mph and 7.3 gph.
Yes, the other guys are faster, but a light airplane flies so much better. (And cheaper to build and fly)
And BTW, if you think you have to have more power and a C/S prop; I fly out of a 1500' strip in Texas, even in the summer, without problems.
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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10-12-2008, 05:11 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by L.Adamson
My (newly flying) 6A is on the heavy side at 1172 lbs. It does have an older/heavy starter, along with six pac instruments that are heavier than the new electronic panels. It has 2 axis auto-pilots too, along with an oxygen tank behind the right seat.
But.................it's fast! It easily outdistances the two 9A's I fly with, and is only slightly slower than another 6A. But then I don't have the main wheel pants installed either. I'm still breaking it in.
It has a Lycoming 0360 AIA, and Hartzell C/S prop. Personally, I'd rather have some of the necessities for a pleasurable long distant cross-country; than keeping it light, with a small engine and fixed pitch prop. But that's me..
L.Adamson
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This is not meant as a critical poke at Larry (everyone has to make there own choices) just a datapoint for comparison.
My RV-6A with an O-360 A1A currently weighs 1042lbs. That is with temperfoam seats all fairings, standard six pack using vacum gyros. I have a com/gps, transponder, and rocky mountain engine monitor.
I do not have a two axis autopilot, O2 tank, or a constant speed prop (Sensenich FP metal) and the airplane is not yet painted. Paint will add 12-15 lbs
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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10-12-2008, 05:22 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: KSLC
Posts: 4,021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002
This is not meant as a critical poke at Larry (everyone has to make there own choices) just a datapoint for comparison.
My RV-6A with an O-360 A1A currently weighs 1042lbs. That is with temperfoam seats all fairings, standard six pack using vacum gyros. I have a com/gps, transponder, and rocky mountain engine monitor.
I do not have a two axis autopilot, O2 tank, or a constant speed prop (Sensenich FP metal) and the airplane is not yet painted. Paint will add 12-15 lbs
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My 6A weight, does include all fairings (although not all installed at the moment), leather seats, weight for an interior, carpet, heavy paint, etc..........
But then I've heard that planes with higher wing loadings, are a bit smoother in turbulence!
Never the less, my 6A is VERY easy to land. After flying 9A's so much, I'm really surprised, just how easy it is!
L.Adamson
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10-12-2008, 09:35 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 187
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There's certainly a lot of variation in weights among the aircraft you folks operate. The lightest I've heard of was by a builder in Australia whose 6 came out at around 950 pounds, but there may well be others that are similar.
My 6 empennage and wing kits are due to arrive in the next week or so, so it's early days but weight control is, in my opinion at least, a priority. I fly for work so see enough of avionics and tv screens there, I expect to have a very basic panel which will help my cause, however I've got lots to learn about construction.
Thanks!
Craig Clapham
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10-13-2008, 01:30 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 3,821
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Craig....... I also like a lite plane. My 6A is at it's best when there is only about 8 gallons left and solo!! I altered my seats and lost 5 pounds. I changed from a Toyota alternator to a PLANE POWER and lost another 4 pounds. Manual flaps are lighter and easier to install. HOOKER twist release seat belts will add weight, Try CROW standard belts.
The one thing that I had a choice, and went with the heaver was my GOODYEAR FLIGHT SPECIAL III 4 ply tires. Smooth as silk and wear like iron.
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10-13-2008, 03:20 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 496
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You almost got it in your initial question. The easiest way to save weight on the plane is for the pilot to go on a diet. Total weight is what matters. If you have built a light ship and are a biscuit boy, your performance is going to suffer. Do both your plane and your heart a favor and go on a diet while you build. Happy flying :-)
__________________
Don Alexander
RV-8 Finished After 8 1/2 Years (2496 hours) of Loving Labor
Summerville, SC
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