<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>
Have you been wondering how the HP discussion helps us build, fly or
maintain our aircraft better?  The following is my contribution.

1.  Tie the tail  of your new aircraft to a hitch.
2.  Measure the shortest distance between each main wheel and the center of
rotation of the prop .
3.  Put a scale under each main wheel and note the weight normal to the
center of rotation.  
4.  Start the engine and Firewall the throttle.
5.  Measure the weight on each wheel again.
6.  Try not to let that beauty get away all by its self.  

With all the previous discussions of the relationship between torque and
HP, we can now easily compute something useful like torque (from reading
the scales), HP (if you noted how fast the prop was rotating) and
propulsion efficiency (if you knew the rated HP of the engine at the prop).

Over time a re-test would determine if the engine and prop are still up to
par.  Perhaps a bit of a stretch but we actually did this once here in in
Minnesota  when fishing season was closed and there wasn't anything else
better to do.

Jim Frantz
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LML website:   http://members.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please remember that purchases from the Builders' Bookstore
assist with the management of the LML.

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>