Dom: The answer to your question, "Does you 360 really stall at 50 KIAS at gross AUW?", is, probably not! My ASI is not calibrated and at low- altitude cruise seems to lag the GPS by 12 to 13 mph. The ASI is, however does indicate "approximately" 57 mph when lift is lost both on landing and at altitude flying heavy.
The reason I mention this is that there is perhaps one additional, unmentioned advantage to the long wing 360 and that is the stall behavior; it is quite benign. In fact, my 360 just mushes downward and does not drop a wing so long as the ball is centered. Did the loss of altitude (mush) begin at 60 mph.. or 59.. or 58? I'm not sure because when stall testing and calibrating, I'm watching the ball, ASI, VSI, LRI (my version of AoA), GPS, the rest of the world outside of the aircraft,... and my ass. Still, the stall behavior of my long wing is quite nice with no surprises. Perhaps the long wings help to retard any sharp drop of wing OKA, snap roll.
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Dan: Having flown frequently in various 200 and 360 style of Lancairs,I find copious advantages to the long wing and just a few mild disadvantages.
The long wind advantages are:
-slower takeoffs
-slower landings
-less tire wear (takeoffs are shorter)
-less brake wear (landings are shorter)
-lower stall speed (57 mph in my 360 at gross)
-all of above permit more options to use short fields
-faster climb (more wing lift)
-longer glide (more wing area)
-faster speeds at all altitudes (lower angle of attack at all speeds)
-slower lateral roll rate (makes chop and turns more comfortable for pilot and passenger)
-safer accident speeds (minimum landing speed is reduced)
-accidents are more survivable (no one would get hurt at 10 mph)
-traffic pattern flying is safer (slower speeds possible because of lower stall speed)
-time to climb to altitude is reduced
-engine out glide is improved (more time to "think" and maneuver to alternatives)
-more fuel capacity (I don't recommend this option; 1000 mile range is plenty)
The several disadvantages are:
-reduced maneuvering speeds (potential to overstress our quite strong wings)
-reduced wing loading causes (nearly) imperceptible reduced comfort in chop
The above lists are not exhaustive and surely others will add or subtract.
Remember that Lance endorsed the long-wing which suggests that the longer wings don't challenge structural integrity in our planes. Also remember that it was not by accident that Nature designed long-distance birds to have long, thin, narrow wings; they are simply more efficient and energy efficient at flying. OTOH, if you fly gut-wrenching, severe "G's", then long wings will not answer.
Dan, I recommend that you not make those longer wingtips removable; you won't remove them after you fly them. Greg Nelson (LNC2)