Extended flying with 20 degree flaps?

[Darren S]

Hey all,

My Pops flies a Titan Tornado (Ultralight, 90 knot cruise). For his 75th bday we're flying across Canada in August. I had planned to borrow a Kitfox to fly but it's proving tricky with insurance and crossing into the US.

We're flying from Calgary to Toronto down through the US.

Anyways, my buddy suggested I fly my -7, 20 degrees flaps, throttle pulled back, LOP.

I can do 100 knot cruise I think? I'll drag the flaps to keep the nose down for engine cooling but......question part here.

Is there any chance of doing damage to the flap mechanism by doing this for 30+ hours?

I don't know the structure well enough to know. Hopefully someone can comment.

Thanks

Darren

[fixnflyguy]

I regularly fly my -4 with a Pacer, Cub, L2/L3, and even a some Helos.. 90 kts is faster than some of them. I don't fly with flaps out, but rather way back on the throttle and just lumber along. I have tried the flaps out, but you will find it is better just to leave them up. On longer flights, I simply make an occasional burst to normal speeds and circle around for a regroup. You will burn way less fuel..other than that, no worries!

[Sam Buchanan]

Your RV-7 won't be very happy at 90 knots, but probably a lot happier than an RV pilot who will most likely run out of patience just a few hours into the adventure. I've flown formation with 'slow' aircraft but after a few minutes I've had enough of the RV-6 mushing through the sky.

I can't imagine doing this for 30 hours....even with a treasured companion. Consider riding an 1100cc sport bike at jogging speed for thirty hours.....

Maybe you can still find a more appropriate aircraft for this memorable trip. Best wishes for a great time with your dad!

[Captain_John]

Darren,

Just put him in your RV!

CJ

[rvbuilder2002]

Do you have electric flaps?

If so, then use about 10 degrees. It will still make the airplane fly at a much lower AOA but wont put much load on the flap system.

Otherwise, as long as you don't go above Vfe you should be ok with 20 degrees for an extended period of time, but it won't really make it any better than 10 degrees other than worsening your fuel economy.

[Darren S]

Thanks for the thoughts.

We're flying to a convention. Best described as "mini-Oshkosh, ultralight version, in Canada". On dear ole dads bucket list is to fly his own plane, through US airspace to this convention. So this is our year.

So ya, I can't put him in the -7. I know it'll be brutal sitting at 100+knots. It'll be a long haul either way. In a Kitfox or a -7 ready to fall out of the sky but I'd rather keep close to pops and keep an eye on him.

I'm going out on Tuesday to see what that feels like. Throttle back, a touch of flaps, lean it out and see.

If it's a no go I may go back to plan A. I'll report back. Thanks again for the input.

[Xkuzme1]

I think you can do it, it'll be hot and painfully slow. But for Dad... Make it so.

[humptybump]

I've flown an RV-8 at 90kts for "a while" (eg an hour) and comfortably did so without added flaps. If 10 degrees of flaps helps with the view angle, then find a happy medium that suits you.

Go up and fly along side your dad to find what works for both of you. (... and happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there)

[mosquito]

I've formated with a cub for a while... a slow cub babying his motor, 60-70kts. The -6 was more of a rudder airplane in that configuration, which was fun. I was slightly behind the power curve, and CHTs soon started climbing so I broke out after 20 minutes. Keep an eye on those CHTs! I have 'blocker tape' on both sides, would need to experiment with removing it were I to attempt that mission again.

-jon

[G5Driver]

Take a Harley!! 20 flaps from Calgary to Toronto sounds like the most painful thing I've ever heard.