Second Super Commander flies downunder

[dentate]

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Jim, how does 115MK do in performance and cruise speeds, with both air and ice? Wondering if my air is the main reason for the slightly lower cruise, rather than some other intrinsic difference between 114 and 114B series.

 

[pjdavis67]

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

I'm pretty sure the later 112A's have identical structures to the early 114's, so, they should be able to get the 114 envelope as well. SN's in the 400's should be fine ... am I correct Jim?

 

[gmores]

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Thinner skins on the 112/112A wings plus a few extra inboard ribs on the 114's, I believe. As far as I've heard only the TC's and B's had the modified wing structure.

 

[sfaret]

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Paul's at #483 does have some improvements as the B's have, So at some point things change or maybe slowly.

It's not going to be a clear cut # for upgrades in older 112's.

 

[jrichards]

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Hi Jeff,

MK's VG's cost Bryan 5 knots right off the top and combined with her weight make her the slowest Super thus far but still impressive and virtually impossible to power-on stall. Based on my before and after flights, she was showing the familiar + 20 KTAS and could do a solid 1500 FPM, loaded.

Her elevator mis-alignment is not as pronounced as CE's, so those couple knots go to her advantage.

Jim

 

[rcastillo]

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

5 Kts loss due to VGs? Wow; I didn't noticed that in our airplane; however, I'm not a test pilot; but even if that's the case; I wouldn't take them out; I think that the improved rudder control and stall characteristics are just great.

 

[N4843W]

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Every account I have ever read has cited a 1-2 knot loss from VG's. Maybe 3. Have never read of 4 or 5. As said earlier, I broke even, installing wing and tail fairins and flap gap seals at the same time. Mine would have been 2-3 loss by itself, my best guess. I also would not give them back.

 

[dentate]

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Thanks for the info Jim. The "misalignment" is a pre-existing condition that should not affect the absolute gain. The climb performance and the maintenance of performance at much higher altitudes are the two things I most wanted to achieve, for flying in SoCal in the summer; and the upgrade has given me that. The additional cowling mods we did out here recently did not really change cruise or climb performance, but did result in a significant improvement in cooling. All in all I am pleased with how everything is working now (except the air conditioning, which is back in the shop again), but I am still curious to know why the Australians report numbers so much better than mine.

 

[jrichards]

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Re: Second Super Commander flies downunder.

Hi Scott,

Admittedly my VG comparisons have not been before and after for the same airplane but have been for a VG 112 and a VG 114B relative to the average results I was seeing on non VG airplanes. The stall speed definitely dropped 5 KIAS in both cases and near as I could tell the same 5 was missing from the top end. I do concur that VG's are worthwhile for stall and handling on airplanes that will never sport 580's. For Super Commanders, I don't recommend them because the bigger plant takes the mush out just as effectively without any loss of speed.

Jim