I throw this out to the group........

Wondering if anyone out there has conducted a few Falco performance tests. One issue in particular is the use of flaps for takeoff. Has anyone done extensive testing using flap settings from full up, 5, 10, 15 and 20 degrees to measure the takeoff performance changes?.........also I have never really seen any accurate listings of Vx and Vy speeds. While these speeds are affected by several factors, I would guess most homebuilt Falco's are using a similar eng/prop combo (IO-320/360 with CS prop) and weigh pretty close in weight.....Just wondering what others may have found for some of these numbers and procedures as the only numbers provided by Sequoia are based on factory Falco's, most using a completely different engine and propeller setup. In fact I don't ever recall an actual V speed specified by Sequoia for either Vx or Vy.

My best guess for Vx is somewhere between 78 and 82 kts @S.L........ and Vy of 90kts. @S.L



Duane

NOBODY?.......

love to help, but I need a few more years to get you something useful...

Ditto !

Slackers!

N/A as factory Falco

Oh well, following extract from my AFM, for info only... (160HP O-320, Hartzell CS)

Just give me a couple of days to go through my test(proving) flight data. What I can tell you is that at a density altitude of 8000, a missed approach produces a very sluggish climb if the landing config of 20 degrees is left in with the gear still out.I always use the recommended 15 flap for take off and (depending on the day) get 500 - 1000 fpm climb-out at 85kt.(Lyc. 0320 160hp fixed prop, wood 70*67)
Regards
brian

Thanks for the info so far.....this is of great interest to me as I can see already some different numbers.



"Stall speed, clean 75 mph 75 mph
Stall speed, flaps/gear down 62 mph 62 mph
Turbulent-air penetration speed 140 mph 140 mph
Never-exceed speed 240 mph 240 mph"

These numbers came off Alfred's site. As you can see the stall numbers are a bit different, and as I recall the stall numbers for my plane were fairly close to those published by Sequoia. My bird is heavier than the factory weights given, so I would have expected a slightly lower stall speed from the factory Falco's.

The numbers I found for Vy are about the same, 91kts at S.L ....I don't remember why I had 78 kts at 1800lbs/S.L. for Vx, as I see Vx figures at 74kts...does make sense though.

I have tried takeoffs with flaps 10 thru 15 with no appreciable difference, though I suspect initial climb out performance might be slightly better with the lower flaps setting at altitude (my home base is at 5K ft.). Using flaps 15 at takeoff, it seems harder to hold the plane down to 65Knots for rotation, but not much difference. It would be interesting to know the true stall speeds at different flaps settings....For reference purposes, my Falco has the IO-360 (180HP) and a Hartzell CS blended prop, so that will have some change on the climb numbers.

Go-arounds (missed approach) with the gear and flaps out is pretty sluggish!. The gear is a killer, and with the extra doors, nosegear and mains, plus my main doors sag down with the gear down, you can't really get any decent climb till the gear is up.

Look forward to seeing more info on this 'stuff'...Thanks again!

Duane

there was a nine page CAFE Foundation Falco performance report published in the June 1996 issue of Sport Aviation. You may be able to view the article on EAA's website.
If you can't find it, I'll be happy to scan and post here for you.

I do recall seeing that once. If you don't mind posting it that would be great. I am always looking to see the differences in speed numbers that different Falco drivers have gotten.

Duane

NOBODY?.......

Hey Duane

You didn't give us much time to get a response back. Only 3 hrs when us antipodeons are asleep. I haven't done any testing as yet but plan to soon once I get a few other little jobs out of the way. The only sure speed that I have is that SWF stalls at 54kts dirty with 2 up and my instructor weighed 130KG and myself 85KG. I haven't stalled her solo as yet cos I've been too busy flying off to places since I passed my licence. I'll try and get Drew Done to do similar tests in his Falco at the same time.

Ian

the article attached here: