Gordon, I agree with everything Paul said about the Legacy, in fact I built mine without brakes based on the CAFE report. However, I believe the ES has a higher L/D than the Legacy -- most of the other Lancair products do, as the Legacy is basically the tiniest wing with the biggest engine they could design. You can create a lot of induced drag by spiralling a Legacy. The ES is probably a much better glider which would equate well to the Mooney 252 I owned. Speed brakes were VERY useful on that airplane, which even with the gear down, had too good a glide ratio. Like Paul, I'd say -- since you've got the pockets, put in the brakes.
Charley Brown Legacy RG 120 hrs
On Jun 14, 2012, at 12:07 PM, Paul Miller wrote: Gordon: I had the use of using the Legacy with Speed brakes for a few hundred hours then one side went u/s for over a year and I flew without them until recently after I replaced a sensor. Indeed, these are slippery little devils that require some planning in a pattern or before descent from altitude. My overall feeling having flown both ways is that I would not incorporate them if given the choice before the build. I would live with the speed "problem" and lack of drag and find ways to bleed off speed or start down earlier. I found I used them mostly because I got behind the airplane but that's not a great reason. Most helpful uses for me: 1) spiralling down 16,500 over Kalispell after passing the mountains, 2) killing lift on the runway after landing, 3) too high and hot on short final. If you've got the build for them and find a pair I would put them in. My switch is on the panel, I would put it on the stick if wiring it again.
Paul Calgary On 2012-06-14, at 12:28 PM, Gordon Porter wrote: Hello all.
What are your thoughts on adding speed brakes to a NA ES? Although I am still flying in Phase 1, I can feel the extra difficulties in "coming down and slowing down". The combination of a sleek airframe and no gear to throw down adds noticeable speed to descents.
I did put the pockets and conduits in before closing the wings, so the install would be much easier.
I did pose this question to the ES group and got mixed reactions, although most feel they are not necessary, and several do not use them even though they are equipped with them.
Anyone have a set of brakes they want to part with if I move forward on this?
Thanks
Gordon
ES N144GP
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