C-162 High Altitude Test
Terry Savage
Did any of you see the movie The Perfect Storm? After being battered by endless storms and waves, there was a brief moment of calm, where the crew got a glimpse of blue sky and sunshine. Then, the darkness closed back down on them.
Yesterday was that moment of sun up here, and I snagged it to go flying! Almost 2 hours in the air with my little Yankee Girl, and she flies better every time! Flying where we do, I figured it was time to do a real world high altitude test, so after some pattern work at Carson City, I flew over Spooner Pass into the Lake Tahoe basin, and landed at South Lake Tahoe airport (TVL). Full stop, and then taxi back to Rwy 36 for the test.
Conditions: Field elevation 6264’ MSL, temp approx 56º, runway length 8544’, with a displaced threshold on rwy 36 of 2037’. T/O weight 1240 lbs. Wind calm. It was actually an awesomely beautiful flying day, after all of the mucky weather we’ve had to deal with for the last month.
I decided to do a standard take-off rather than short field, so there was no running up to full power with brakes on. Flaps set to 10º, which is standard for takeoff in the C-162. The engine was leaned properly for the altitude.
When I pushed the throttle forward, it was obvious that I was a lot higher than when I had taken off from Reno at 4400’ MSL, but the acceleration built up faster than I expected. I was above the proverbial 50’ obstacle before I even got to the end of the displaced threshold! After establishing best rate climb with the flaps back up, I was seeing 700 fpm passing through 7500. That was better than I expected, so I kept pushing on upward.
I’m flying under sport pilot rules, so I took her right on up to 9,999’ MSL. Before leveling off, I was still seeing an honest 500 fpm climb rate. Trimmed for straight and level at 9980’, leaned for the altitude, 2500 rpm, I was getting a solid 105 kts TAS…burning under 5 gph.
So, the verdict is clear on the high altitude performance of the C-162: Awesome!
J
J
Terry C Savage
General Manager, Light Sport Training
Flying Start Aero, Reno, Nevada
http://www.flyingstartaero.com/
Science Fiction Author
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John Arnold
John Arnold
Sales Representative
Terry Savage
If you don’t have the wheel pants (we decided against them), you could probably put some balloon tires on it if you wanted to operate off-pavement regularly.
I think winter may finally have broken. Only one day of snow in the forecast for the next week. I’m planning to go up tomorrow!