We flew our 320 out to the Copperstate fly-in 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. Whoever burns the least fuel on the 400 sm course wins.

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

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

On Sunday we attempted to see if we could get back to Virginia nonstop. An interesting project to say the least. With good wx, slight tailwinds and a bottle of oxygen we were able to make it...barely. Here 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 (KOMH)

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

distance flown 2,006 sm,  

fuel used 49.9 gallons,  

average speed 211 mph  

actual fuel mileage 39.4 mpg.   

49.9 gal avgas @ 3.75/gal = $187.12  

fuel burn per person (2 people): 24.9 gallons

cost per person: $93.56

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

This would require 3 hard days of driving,  2 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.

78.3 gallons @ $2.50/gal = $195.75 plus hotels and 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 - IAD other flights require intermediate stops and add 2-5 hours.

Flight time 4 hrs 19 mins.

Drive from Casa Grande to PHX airport 1 hr.

Arrive PHX 1 hour before flight.

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

Drive to Orange 1:30

Total elapsed time:  8:19

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

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

Cheapest fare: $418