REFLECTOR: Power setting gouge: First Flight

[Scott Derrick]

I would leave the gear down on the first flight no matter how confident 
I was about it's operation. Its one less thing to worry about and makes 
the plane more stable in flight.  If you end up needing to do a quick 
landing, its already down.  Gear ups are all to common when the need for 
an immediate landing comes up.

I'm not sure why Baker's limit of 140 knots for sans gear doors is so 
low. I would think it would be 160 knots or higher.

Scott


Terry Miles wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
>  
> 
> My question is to anyone flying the 300 hp version of the XL.
> 
>  
> 
>  *I need to know in an XLRG at 5000 msl,  will it stay below 140 kts, 
> with the gear down at 23 x 2300—aprox 65% power*. 
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Here is the issue:
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> I am up to the flight test phase.  Scott Swing told me last week if I 
> take the main gear doors off, I could go to 140 kts or so with the gear 
> down   I have a zero-time Don George rebuilt 300 HP Ly IO-540K, w/ a 3 
> bladed, controllable pitch. Aerocomposite Inc. prop.   
> 
>  
> 
> One school of thought says don’t raise the gear, but I want to keep a 
> high MAP (at least 65%) for 30 mins or so to begin the process of 
> seating the rings.  That’s if no other first flight issues require a 
> return to base. 
> 
>  
> 
> The other option obviously is to raise the gear on the first flight 
> which will take me to cruise speed regime at 5000’ and 65% power.  I 
> would the speed increases pausing at 10 knot intervals.
> 
>  
> 
> Anybody been down this road, flight testing a new airplane with a newly 
> rebuilt engine?
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Terry
> 
> N821TM
> 
> Airworthiness Inspection complete!
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> 
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