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:
-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)