We flew our 320 out to the = Copperstate fly-in=20 in Casa Grande, AZ last weekend. A great fly-in with perfect wx. Several = Lancairians were there competing in the Fuelventure 400 race. =

The race has two classifications; one = is pure MPG.=20 Whoever burns the least fuel on the 400 sm course wins.

The other is a CAFE foumula that takes = into account=20 speed, fuel burn and payload.

It would be hard to imagine airplanes = better suited=20 to compete on an efficiency basis than Lancairs. There were 2 Legacys, 1 = - 360=20 and 1 - 320 in the competition in the 750-1,000 kg weight class=20 ( 1,654 - 2,205 lbs). Being the most underpowered (a relative = term), our=20 little 320 won both categories.

On Sunday we attempted to see if we = could get back=20 to Virginia nonstop. An interesting project to say the least. With good = wx,=20 slight tailwinds and a bottle of oxygen we were able to make = it...barely. Here=20 are some interesting comparisons to other forms of = transportation.

Bill Harrelson

N5ZQ 320 1,700 hrs

N6ZQ IV under = construction

Casa Grande, Arizona (KCGZ) to Orange, = VA=20 (KOMH)

Our flight time: 9 hrs 20 = mins, nonstop 13,500, 15,500 and 17,500 = ft. =20

distance flown 2,006=20 sm,

fuel used 49.9=20 gallons,

average speed=20 211 mph

actual fuel mileage=20 39.4 mpg.

49.9 gal avgas @ 3.75/gal =3D=20 $187.12

fuel burn per person (2 people): = 24.9=20 gallons

cost per person:=20 $93.56

Yahoo maps driving directions shows the = following=20 distance and driving time from Casa Grande to Orange.

This would require 3 hard days of = driving, 2=20 nights in a hotel plus food.

Trip distance: 2351 mi =

Time: 34 hrs 35 mins

If your car got 30 miles/gal you would use 78.3 = gallons.=20

78.3 gallons @ $2.50/gal =3D $195.75 plus hotels = and=20 food.

fuel burn per person (2 people): 39.15

cost per person: $97.87 plus hotel and food.

The best airline schedule is UAL #952. = Nonstop PHX=20 - IAD other flights require intermediate stops and add 2-5=20 hours.

Flight time 4 hrs 19 = mins.=20

Drive from Casa Grande to PHX airport = 1=20 hr.

Arrive PHX 1 hour = before=20 flight.

Arrive IAD unload and take shuttle to = main=20 terminal, retrieve baggage 30 = min.

Drive to Orange=20 1:30

Total elapsed time: =20 8:19

Estimated fuel burn: 27,000 lbs =3D = 4,030=20 gallons. (B-757, 3 class seating)

Fuel burn per person (110 seats): = 36.6=20 gallons (does not include fuel burned=20 driving)

Cheapest fare:=20 $418