Budget Retracts - Anyone own a Sierra or Comanche 180?

On Thu, 9 Feb 2006 13:20:54 -0500, pgbnh wrote:

2. Not a 'finger flyer'. It flies heavy. I like the feel, but it takes a
hand onthe yoke, not a couple of fingers.

Surprised to hear this on the Sierra! My Sundowner, when trimmed is pretty
much hands off.

3. Lots of doors. One on either side plus a large luggage door.

Yep, always surprises a lineman when I exit out the left side :-).

4. Annuals have averaged about $2200/year for the past 15 years

Mine has been about $1500, so guess flexible gears add to this?

5. Insurance - about $1500 currently for two authorized pilots with similar
ratings and time

Mine is $800 with me having $350 hours at my last renewal. I am now over
$540 so I hope to see a drop.

6. Speed - not real fast. Zero wind is probably about 115kts. But if I am
just out to make holes inthe sky I can crank it back to 17 inches of MP and
2000 rpm and burn 4gph at 90kts.

Not quite sure I understand you only getting 5 knots more then my
Sundowner?

7. Built like a truck. If you want a sports car, this is not your plane
8. Great instrument platform - stable, fairly high wing loading

Yes, agree, trailing link gear, and stable as a table when trimmed right.

Allen

On 9-Feb-2006, "pgbnh" wrote:

Speed - not real fast. Zero wind is probably about 115kts.


Is that at 75%? If so, it's about 25 kts slower than an Arrow which uses
essentially the same engine (Lyc IO-360). Slower than an Archer with 20
fewer horses and fixed gear. That's pretty ugly!

Are you sure you're remembering to raise the gear?

--
-Elliott Drucker

It is broader and roomier than an Arrow. That interior space comes with a
penalty. I also do not believe an Arrow will get 140kts at 75%
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news:t3UGf.12957$j07.2997@trnddc04...

On 9-Feb-2006, "pgbnh" wrote:

Speed - not real fast. Zero wind is probably about 115kts.


Is that at 75%? If so, it's about 25 kts slower than an Arrow which uses
essentially the same engine (Lyc IO-360). Slower than an Archer with 20
fewer horses and fixed gear. That's pretty ugly!

Are you sure you're remembering to raise the gear?

--
-Elliott Drucker

On 10-Feb-2006, "pgbnh" wrote:

I also do not believe an Arrow will get 140kts at 75%

My Arrow IV seems to. But I usually cruise at 65% and get 135 kts. It does
have a couple of speed mods, however.

--
-Elliott Drucker

On 2006-02-10, pgbnh wrote:
It is broader and roomier than an Arrow. That interior space comes with a
penalty. I also do not believe an Arrow will get 140kts at 75%

The Arrow I we used to have in our club would always true out at 140kts
at 7000/8000 ft MSL. It had the 200hp IO-360. The 200hp Super Musketeer
the club had would true out at about 115kts TAS at the same altitude.

--
Dylan Smith, Port St Mary, Isle of Man
Flying: http://www.dylansmith.net
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