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07-23-2013, 11:30 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Orem, UT
Posts: 213
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High Density Altitude Operations with RV-12
This has been a HOT summer in Utah. Most days it's 70 degrees at 6 a.m. and often 80 degrees by 9 or 10. Most of the airports nearby are at 4,300 to 5,000 MSL. Many of the nearby moutain ranges are between 10,000 and 12,000, but following canyons and avoiding peaks, one can fly most places at a cruise altitude of 7,500 to 10,500.
I have the tail about done on an RV-9A, but have wondered about starting over with a RV-12 in order to finish sooner. However, I wonder if the performance of the RV-12 would be adequate for the density altitudes I would see for much of the summer. Any thoughts?
__________________
Finishing -12 tail cone
-9A Empennage done, in storage
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07-23-2013, 12:16 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: arvada, co
Posts: 445
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I am high too
I will be flying my RV12 out of the Denver area, Rocky Mountain Regional KBJC, to be specific. Our field elevation is 5460 and it does get warm here too so density altitude is a concern. I do have lower elevations East but to my West 8 to 10K feet is common too. I just finished some transition training with John Albury in Texas at 800ft field elevation so I going to experience my high altitude airport soon. I know there is a guy (John I believe) in Salida, CO. and their field elevation is upward in the 7000ft range but in the morning I am sure it is fairly cool even during this time of year. He has been flying his RV12 in the Arkansas Valley for a few years now.
I was told at a recent light sport expo we had at Front Range airport here in the Denver area that the RV12 performed well on the trip from Oregon to Denver, but there was a noticeably longer runway usage at the higher altitudes during his trip. A Vans representative came out in one of the factory built Blue planes.
__________________
Patrick Claar
Arvada, CO BJC
RV12, #401, Flying 2013, N612PC
RV6, 1996-2010 sold
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07-23-2013, 12:33 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 6,797
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Just a general answer; weight is a big factor. Do you plan to fly solo, or close to gross weight?
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07-23-2013, 02:15 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Barneveld, NY
Posts: 189
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I too am building a RV-12 down at Meadow Lake in Colorado Springs. I currently own a Rotax 912 based Aero AT-4 or Gobosh 700. The RV-12 is actually lighter in gross and having flown both planes I can say they are very similar.
I regularly fly my Gobosh out of KFLY with DA at 9000-10000 feet. I also have flown into both Buena Vista and Leadville with no problems. The longer runway is helpful to be sure. I have flown my Gobosh into Kelly air park for their pancake breakfast the past couple years. This year was getting hot and DA was getting high when I took off. I was about 20 pounds under gross. That runway is about 3800 feet. I was able to get off with a margin of safety and climb at about 400-500 FPM on departure.
I know this doesn't directly address RV-12 high altitude operations but since the Gobosh is so similar with the same engine I think I is a viable extrapolation.
Carl
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Private Pilot
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07-23-2013, 06:34 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Dallas, TX (ADS)
Posts: 2,180
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Most of the 912S powered LSA work well at higher DA, so I expect the -12 to do so as well. I practiced at BZN the same day and our CT far outperformed a DA20 even though it was later in the way (with higher DA).
Tips:
* Make sure your prop is pitched properly. Search for lots of discussion, but you should be seeing at least 5200 RPM static at WOT.
* Go light. 100 lb is a large % of weight in an airplane with 1320 lb MGTW.
* Get practice and instruction.
* Start with plenty of runway until you know your specific airplane performs at different DA.
TODR
__________________
Doug "The Other Doug Reeves" Reeves
CTSW N621CT - SOLD but not forgotten
Home Bases LBX, BZN
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07-24-2013, 11:22 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 421
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I noticed Flagstaff has a Density Altitude display now, anyone take off at a DA of say....8500-9000'?
How'd it go?
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07-25-2013, 12:15 AM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,324
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cactuspilot
I noticed Flagstaff has a Density Altitude display now, anyone take off at a DA of say....8500-9000'?
How'd it go?
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You are "off the chart" at a DH of 9000.
http://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/revi...ls/POH_180.pdf
Then go to Chapter 5, chart 5-3
John Clark ATP, CFI
FAAST Team Representative
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA
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07-25-2013, 10:19 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 963
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Clark
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Don't let that stop you! Many of us living in the Rockies will be 'off the chart'!
Bob
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Bob Hassel
NM
Subscription Paid for 2020
Home is where the hanger is...
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07-25-2013, 11:22 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 408
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T/O and Climb Chart Is Pressure Altitude
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Clark
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The T/O and Climb chart is in pressure altitude. At 8000 ft pressure altitude and 100F, DA is 12,634. So at 8000ft PA and 60F, DA is 9967ft and the T/O ground roll is 1092ft, 2511ft over 50ft obstacle, with a rate of climb of 416fpm, sufficient performance I would say.
The landing chart is in Density Altitude and only goes to 7500ft DA.
__________________
RV-10 N331JH 3rd owner (First flew in 2005, #15 flying)
Northwest Regional 52F
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07-25-2013, 12:17 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,820
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I think I'd op to stay in the air conditioning, pour a beer and put on a DVD if the margins got that close.
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