Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 05:39 AM - Re: grass strip length (Jim Crunkleton)
2. 07:16 AM - Fw: Too Cool a Story Not To Send....... (MASON CHEVAILLIER)
3. 07:34 AM - Re: grass strip length (Brock Lorber)
4. 07:54 AM - Re: Voltage Regulators (Moe)
5. 09:28 AM - Zefftronics Regulators (Larry Wokral)
6. 09:48 AM - Short Grass Strips (Larry Wokral)
7. 10:38 AM - Re: grass strip length (CloudCraft@AOL.COM)
Message 1
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Subject: | Re: grass strip length |
--> Commander-List message posted by: "Jim Crunkleton" <crunk12@bellsouth.net>
Ben,
Joe Shepherd and I have been operating a 560F off of a 2000' grass strip for
years. (Elev 925') No Problem!
However........when the density altitude starts climbing, we do restrict the
gross weight. (You can tell a big difference at a 1000' @ 90 degrees.)
We've also operated a 520, and 680E from the same strip.
My personal preferences:
520---Not an issue
560---Not an issue
560E---Not an issue
560A HC---Not an issue
560F---Watch density altitude/limit gross weight
680E---See above
680F---See above (Do-able but no room for error)
The remaining models---Consider an Aztruck
Commander Gordon is spot on concerning 2nd segment climb, as you don't want
to be turning around a tree after losing an engine.
You are not be operating off of a balanced field, so expect NOT to stop on
the field if you lose an engine near Vmc. (It does make every takeoff
exciting!)
The method Joe and I use is to remain on the ground until attaining Vmc.
(Chanting, "Engines Don't Fail Me Now" during the takeoff roll and climb out
also seems to help!)
Another consideration when operating off of grass is field condition, i.e.,
dew, rain and depth of grass. We elect NOT to operate our aircraft during
periods of dew, rain or high grass.
I'm sure it probably can be done, but being an old-fart retired airline
pilot with 25,000+ hours I've decided that my heart can't take the
excitement. (Definitely OLD, definitely not Bold.) :-)
You mentioned flying out west. If this is part of your 'mission' I would
strongly suggest something with superchargers for the higher altitude
airports, i.e., a 680E.
Before making a decision it would be prudent to review the single engine
service ceilings of the various aircraft you might have in mind. (It would
be a real bitch to find the single engine service ceiling is 8500' when the
terrain is 9500' where you find yourself---Bummer!)
Hope I've been some help.
Jim Crunkleton
Message 2
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"BROOKE D HARLOW" <BROOKE.D.HARLOW@JPMORGAN.COM>,
"candice" <candice_chevaillier@hotmail.com>,
"carol haskins" <carol@haskinsinc.com>,
"commander-list" <commander-list@matronics.com>,
"DAN BRUHL" <DBRUHL@IX.NETCOM.COM>,
"Fearn Mastin" <fearnv@sbcglobal.net>,
"FEDERICO M VELEZ A" <FVELEZ@EQUO.COM.MX>
Subject: | Fw: Too Cool a Story Not To Send....... |
0.14 FROM_NO_LOWER From address has no lower-case characters
--> Commander-List message posted by: "MASON CHEVAILLIER" <KAMALA@msn.com>
----- Original Message -----
From: Kay Farman<mailto:kaydickson@charter.net>
Subject: Fw: Too Cool a Story Not To Send.......
----- Original Message -----
From: Jane Lancaster<mailto:jrlancaster@yahoo.com>
Subject: Too Cool a Story Not To Send.......
Subject: Irish Luck - Remember to send it back!
I want this back. It DOES work.
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying
to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby
bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.
There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling
to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been
a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings.
An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father
of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.
"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied waving
off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family
hovel.
"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked.
"Yes," the farmer replied proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son
will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be
a man we both will be proud of." And that he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from
St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout
the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken
with pneumonia.
What saved his life this time? Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name?
Sir Winston Churchill.
Someone once said: What goes around comes around.
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.
It's National Friendship Week. Send this to
everyone you consider A FRIEND.
Pass this on, and brighten someone's day.
AN IRISH FR! IENDSHIP WISH: You had better send
this back!! Good Luck!
I hope it works...
May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Message 3
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Subject: | Re: grass strip length |
--> Commander-List message posted by: Brock Lorber <blorber@vegasfc.com>
Jim Crunkleton wrote:
>520---Not an issue
>560---Not an issue
>560E---Not an issue
>560A HC---Not an issue
>560F---Watch density altitude/limit gross weight
>680E---See above
>680F---See above (Do-able but no room for error)
>The remaining models---Consider an Aztruck
>
>
>
Thanks, Jim. Before seeing this, I was thinking one of two scenarios
was happening:
a - The Commander list had banded together to play a big joke on me (or
scramble the few brain cells I had left), or
b - N400CH is missing an engine and/or dragging a plow.
I'm pretty sure both engines are attached and as strong as they can get
and I (usually) unhook the tug before taking the runway, so I had the BS
flag at half mast! While the 680FL(P) has impressed me with its
short-field capabilities, they are nothing to write home about with any
load past pilot and a half a gallon of gas or so.
Darn extra seats. I'd really complain if I couldn't get them up over
200 knots.
Brock Lorber
N400CH
Message 4
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Subject: | Re: Voltage Regulators |
--> Commander-List message posted by: "Moe" <moe@rosspistons.com>
Gentlemen:
Thanks very much for the replies. Perhaps I should have mentioned that I
have 100 amp generators on the 680F(p), and Zeftronics only has 50 amp
voltage regulators. This came as a surprise to me so I called their tech
assistance lady and she confirmed it. Any other suggestions?
Regards,
Moe
N680RR
----- Original Message -----
From: <BobsV35B@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Commander-List: Voltage Regulators
> --> Commander-List message posted by: BobsV35B@aol.com
>
>
> In a message dated 8/29/2005 4:27:41 P.M. Central Standard Time,
> CloudCraft@aol.com writes:
>
> If you can't Google it, let me know and I'll try to find archive issues
of
> the Flight Group News that featured these.
>
> Wing Commander Gordon
>
>
> Try: _http://www.zeftronics.com_ (http://www.zeftronics.com)
>
> Happy Skies,
>
> Old Bob
> AKA
> Bob Siegfried
> Ancient Aviator
> Stearman N3977A
> Brookeridge Air Park LL22
> Downers Grove, IL 60516
> 630 985-8503
>
>
Message 5
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Subject: | Zefftronics Regulators |
--> Commander-List message posted by: "Larry Wokral" <l.wokral@ix.netcom.com>
>Am considering getting rid of the stock "Frankenstein" voltage regulators
on
my 680F(p). Any suggestions?
>Look in Trade A Plane for Zefftronics. The regulators you need are
manufactured by them and they are GREAT replacements for the old open frame
units originally installed. They are all solid state and have been trouble
free since installation.
I, too, have the Zefftronics solid state system installed on my 500B. I had
the Merlyn folks install it during my Merlyn 320 turbo engine conversion. It
completely replaces the stock one, and I have never had any trouble with it.
Sorry, I don't remember the cost because it was mixed in with the engine
conversion where I was spending BIG money. I also had their smaller solid
state regulator on my Cardinal RG for many years with the same perfect
result. It is over voltage protected and self resets.
Larry Wokral
Message 6
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Subject: | Short Grass Strips |
--> Commander-List message posted by: "Larry Wokral" <l.wokral@ix.netcom.com>
>How short of an unobstructed grass strip are you willing to land on,
assuming reasonable
temperature and a few hundred under gross?
Please tell me what you fly.
I have been practicing high performance, short field takeoffs and landings
in my Merlyn 320 converted 500B in preparation for taking it into my new
1,200' sloped sod strip (close to 2,000' flat land equivalency with no
departure obstructions). My local paved field is 3,642' in elevation. On
density altitude days where it is closer to 5,000' in elevation and with
just me and 100 gallons of fuel aboard, I've been getting off in about 900',
and always under 1,000'. I start by holding brakes until getting 38" MP,
increasing to 42" MP on the roll, and rotating by 70 KIAS. I pick up VYse
speed after breaking ground quickly. As Morris suggested to me once, I've
even tried holding the brakes until reaching the full 42" and then rotating
at 65 KIAS and holding it there for the initial climb. That was
exhilarating! The stall horn was sounding during initial rotation, but the
plane kept its climb and accelerated with a little lessening of back
pressure on the yoke. I really believe that it would easily operate out of
short, unobstructed grass strips.
Of course I have read the articles on multi engine takeoff speed safety
techniques and was trained on making every attempt at reaching blue line
before rotation or gaining it ASAP after rotation. None the less, these
planes will give great short field performance when needed. Using a short
field technique doesn't prevent you from gaining blue line speed immediately
after breaking ground and clearing the obstacle. I readily admit that I am
new at flying Aerocommanders. I would really love to have one of you really
experienced Commander drivers fly this thing at this edge of the envelope
just to help verify or determine its full capabilities.
Larry Wokral
Message 7
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Subject: | Re: grass strip length |
--> Commander-List message posted by: CloudCraft@aol.com
In a message dated 30-Aug-05 07:35:52 Pacific Daylight Time,
blorber@vegasfc.com writes:
a - The Commander list had banded together to play a big joke on me (or
scramble the few brain cells I had left), or
b - N400CH is missing an engine and/or dragging a plow.
I'm pretty sure both engines are attached and as strong as they can get
and I (usually) unhook the tug before taking the runway, so I had the BS
flag at half mast! While the 680FL(P) has impressed me with its
short-field capabilities, they are nothing to write home about with any
load past pilot and a half a gallon of gas or so.
>
>
As much as we enjoy conspiring to blow your mind, Brock, we didn't this time.
The (sad) fact of the RPM-FLP is that the 400 hp just doesn't get through the
props and turn into thrust like the original model's engine & prop
combination.
Mr RPM did demonstrate the short field / high DENALT capability to some
missionaries by taking off at gross weight from Big Bear, California (L35) on a
warm day -- but -- he loaded the aircraft with aft most C.G., which he says is
the key to short field work in the long body Commander.
Are you sure you unhooked the tug? I heard you on frequency a while ago and
I remember ATC asking if you were a flight of two.
Back to the original question, Ben -- if you can find a 680-E, you'll have as
good a short field Commander as you can get, both for East Coast and Rocky
Mountain regions. Barry Hancock who is in the Group is selling his. Get in
touch with him.
Wing Commander Gordon
Life is not simple anywhere. Probably less so elsewhere.
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