TommyJ
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2008
- Messages
- 132
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I know there are multiple W&B threads here on the forum, but none of them specifically address my questions, so please indulge me and help a poor dumb Ohio hillbilly.
Here's the background:
I just finished my Skybolt and even with an IO-540 hiding under the hood it scales at 1275 (oil but no fuel), which makes me pretty happy. Generally I understand the 540 birds come in significantly over 1300. What made me most definitely unhappy is that when I plop in it I wind up with a C.G. 1/2" aft of limit, and that's after moving the battery.
So I have a few questions that will help me decide the appropriate action(s):
P.S. Watch my show The Big Brain Theory on the Discovery Channel, Wednesdays at 7pm. It was a heck of a lot of fun to make, and you'll get a big kick out of seeing engineering nerds trying to build things. Plus you can say you know somebody who was stupid enough to do a reality TV show...
Cheers.
Here's the background:
I just finished my Skybolt and even with an IO-540 hiding under the hood it scales at 1275 (oil but no fuel), which makes me pretty happy. Generally I understand the 540 birds come in significantly over 1300. What made me most definitely unhappy is that when I plop in it I wind up with a C.G. 1/2" aft of limit, and that's after moving the battery.
So I have a few questions that will help me decide the appropriate action(s):
- Assuming I can get the CG in tolerance, it will likely still be aft of nominal (L.E. of bottom wing). Does anyone have experience flying a Skybolt with a CG aft of ideal, and if so, is it an issue?
- My current tailwheel is a Scott 3200, which is a boat anchor. What is the lightest tailwheel assembly I can replace this with, and how much weight might I save? Weight savings that far aft make a huge difference.
- Given that the lightest tailwheel will probably be a locking type, what are the drawbacks? I have never flown a locking tailwheel.
- If I have to hang weight on the nose, is the best path to just strip off my B&C starter (sob) and replace it with the stock piece of crap? I hate the idea of adding weight.
- Any other suggestions to get that CG moved? Yes, I know I can lose weight, but at 6'5" I'll never be 150lb. Even at 210 I look like a stick.
P.S. Watch my show The Big Brain Theory on the Discovery Channel, Wednesdays at 7pm. It was a heck of a lot of fun to make, and you'll get a big kick out of seeing engineering nerds trying to build things. Plus you can say you know somebody who was stupid enough to do a reality TV show...
Cheers.
