lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

Dan

I live in St. Louis MO and Phoenix AZ. I fly my IV-P literally across the entire country often for business travel. I wouldn't even think of having a IV-P without AC. I will go so far as to say its one of the most important things in a P besides pressurization. If you ever plan to be south of the middle of the country during any summer months, you will absolutely melt prior to getting to 180. No worse feeling than being soaking wet and then cold at level off. Don't forget that it can help you in fall and spring as well! Ever had the windows fog up from the inside on a humid morning? A little AC clears that up without trying to get heating air going (which is almost impossible at idle....). In my opinion, AC is not an option, it's a necessity. For the one guy who lives in Colorado and never goes south, God bless him, he can save the weight. But for the other 95%, just get it. And if you do, my experience also says don't mount the AC compressor on the back of the engine (starter drive adapter oil leak problems are scary, it happened to me), keep it on the front of the motor. Good luck-

Bob Rickard

On May 2, 2012, at 11:05 AM, "Dan & Kari Olsen" <olsen25@comcast.net> wrote:

LML Gang,

With all the discussion of structural integrity compromises of the IV-P fuselage by cutting air conditioning holes, I have a question for you seasoned IV-P drivers… How necessary is air conditioning in this aircraft?

I have been flying my 320 for almost 9 years now and certainly would love to have had it during ground operations on hot summer days with the green house canopy. However, once moving and at altitude, there is no need. I realize that the IV-P is going to have warmer air because of the pressurization but it is also typically flying much higher (colder ambient) and it doesn’t have the bubble canopy.

So, in normal cross country cruise operations above FL180, do any of you that don’t have A/C *really* wish that you had it?

I’m early in the building of my IV-P and don’t want to put it in for several reasons:
·         Weight
·         Potential structural issues
·         Cost
·         One more thing to break down the road

I live in Colorado and will be using this plane as a cross country traveler with my wife, so comfort is certainly a factor but not at all costs. One thought is to get one of those cooler-with-ice-and-a-fan systems to toss in the back seat for those few days that are very hot.

I appreciate your input.

Dan Olsen
Fort Collins, CO
N320DK – 640hrs
IV-P – 10% done