jdm
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- May 29, 2013
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doing the math for max weight in an S1S (unlike the S2x, there is only one weight given, not normal and aerobatic weights) with max 1150 lbs doesn't work out well:
1150 max weight
- 120 lbs full fuel (20 gal @ 6 lbs) = 1030 lbs
- 215 lbs pilot = 815
- 15 lbs chute = 800 left over for the airplane. Not counting any baggage for that X/C to the contest.
I understand the earlier Pitts with no electrical were very light, but these days, with electrical, ~850 lbs seems average. (Like us, our planes are gaining weight!)
You're certainly not gonna break the plane with a bit more than 1150 lbs in it, at least not for normal cat X/C stuff, but should you prang, the FAA may not be pleased with that reasoning. (IMHO, CG is more important than gross weight, by way.)
So, like the recent poll RE running IO-360 well above redline as a matter of course (great engine!), I suspect most S1S drivers are over gross as a matter of course, too, at least for X/C. Yes? How much becomes too much? And if that's the case, how do you deal with the regs and ramp checks? (A guy who flies Reno said that the FAA inspectors there are so anal retentive that they grounded planes that didn't have a compass correction card!) Probably not a ramp-check issue at contests, since you're min fuel, anyway. (Poll: how much fuel do y'all have when flying a contest?)
1150 max weight
- 120 lbs full fuel (20 gal @ 6 lbs) = 1030 lbs
- 215 lbs pilot = 815
- 15 lbs chute = 800 left over for the airplane. Not counting any baggage for that X/C to the contest.
I understand the earlier Pitts with no electrical were very light, but these days, with electrical, ~850 lbs seems average. (Like us, our planes are gaining weight!)
You're certainly not gonna break the plane with a bit more than 1150 lbs in it, at least not for normal cat X/C stuff, but should you prang, the FAA may not be pleased with that reasoning. (IMHO, CG is more important than gross weight, by way.)
So, like the recent poll RE running IO-360 well above redline as a matter of course (great engine!), I suspect most S1S drivers are over gross as a matter of course, too, at least for X/C. Yes? How much becomes too much? And if that's the case, how do you deal with the regs and ramp checks? (A guy who flies Reno said that the FAA inspectors there are so anal retentive that they grounded planes that didn't have a compass correction card!) Probably not a ramp-check issue at contests, since you're min fuel, anyway. (Poll: how much fuel do y'all have when flying a contest?)
