Posted for "Bob Jude" <bobjude@charter.net>:

If any of the Lancair flyers on the list has done a thorough job of
performance testing a Lancair 320, I sure would like to see your test
results.  The measurement of best angle of climb airspeed seems to be the
most difficult to define accurately.  I assume that to perform this test,
you need to put some distance markers along the runway and get a ground
spotter in communication with the pilot as described in the POH page V-12.
The other question is; should you do the test with gear down or in
transition?
Any information on test results with a Lycoming 320, 160 HP engine would be
appreciated.
Bob Jude


[Don't forget that best angle of climb is a function of AOA, and happens at the angle of attack that matches L/D max.  If you don't have an AOA indicator you can find L/D max in a more relaxed setting by finding your best engine out glide.  Remember also that the airspeeds that at which these AOAs occur will vary with wing loading, so will be faster when heavily loaded, slower when light.  (L/D max gives 3 critical flight regimes... engine out glide, best angle of climb, and max endurance.) Install and calibrate an AOA indicator to your airplane and it will tell you exactly where L/D max is every time, regardless of wing loading... just pull back on the stick til you get the L/D max "picture" and you're golden.

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