Return-Path: Received: from imo14.mx.aol.com ([198.81.17.4]) by truman.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.5.1 release 219 ID# 0-52269U2500L250S0V35) with ESMTP id com for ; Thu, 8 Jul 1999 01:36:27 -0400 Received: from Fredmoreno@aol.com by imo14.mx.aol.com (IMOv20.21) id kKSPa03005 (3925) for ; Thu, 8 Jul 1999 01:39:20 -0400 (EDT) From: Fredmoreno@aol.com Message-ID: <1c32085e.24b59387@aol.com> Date: Thu, 8 Jul 1999 01:39:19 EDT Subject: Long range tanks in Lancair IV To: lancair.list@olsusa.com X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com Mime-Version: 1.0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> Alex Shenk and Gary Burns from near Brisbane, Australia flew their LIV around the world last year. They carried about 120 gallons in the wings (with winglets) and another 120 (if I recall correctly) in a fuel bladder. Their story can be found at the Lancair.com web site by searching around a bit. I suggest contacting Gary directly at gkburns@bigpond.com for details on how they did it, and how they built their tanks. Be aware that filling the wing completely (filling the aft most bays occupied by aileron push rods) moves the CG aft a bit. I believe the TSIO 550 Continental is in the same category as other high performance, high power turbo engines: highly unlikely that they will make TBO unless run very conservatively (below 65% power, fairly rich to keep exhaust temperatures down). Manufacturers have pushed power output and exhaust temperatures up, but the basic design and metallurgy remain unchanged. I flew a TurboSkylane RG for 19 years with an 0-540 Lycoming putting out a modest 235 HP. Operating at the top of the green on power settings resulted in burned exhaust valves on three cylinders at about 1000 hours. And this is with exhaust temperatures below 1500F. I think the reality is that high power turbo air cooled engines operate with narrow margins and can be expected to consume significant maintenance dollars, particularly if flown high and fast most of the time. Problems begin toshow up at 600-800 hours. Earlier specific problems associated with the 550 Continental (premature ring wear, in particular) seem to be under control now that the factory has made modifications. For the inside scoop on aircraft engines I suggest you subscribe to TBO Advisor, written by Kas Thomas. Kas can be reached at http://home.earthlink.net/~tbo. He can provide some opinions based on continued research about problems with various high performance engines, and he writes an excellent, well researched engine magazine. The Lancair IV with dual turbo 550 Continental engine is an ultrahigh performance airplane. Performance costs money. Plan to spend some. Fred Moreno >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LML homepage: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html