> ****************
>
> Jeff said -
>
> "We flew in formation with each other for roughly 1150 nautical miles I
> don't think either of us ever ran at full throttle more than a few
> minutes to catch the other guy if we got separated."
>
> I continue to be mystified when I read things like this (flying with
> partial throttle). Unless you're down low, who flies with partial
> throttle? Somebody obviously had to pull throttle to slow down so the
> other could keep up. Either that or, as with Richard Shirley's Jabiru,
> both Jeff and Joe had to fly at partial power to prevent overheating :-).
>
I don't have heating issues at full throttle cruise, and I doubt that Joe does
either. There was simply no reason for either of us to be running full
throttle except during climb-out. We could burn more fuel, go a little faster,
and increase the cockpit noise level, but why? We were bucking a head wind and
still making 130 - 140 kts at 10,500' headed west and 11,500' headed east (head
winds both directions). We were crossing over some beautiful terrain with both
of us taking lots of photos while enjoying the trip.
FWIW, 10,500' is down low. If I'm cruising at full throttle, it's because I'm
either above 12,500' or 'cause I want to embarrass one of the local Mooney
drivers or my next door hangar mate in his Cirrus. :o)
We followed the same routine for all 4 legs we flew together. I would launch
first with Joe following behind. I would get to altitude and set course, then
throttle back and wait for Joe to catch me. Joe has an autopilot, so with him
leading, we flew a much straighter course. Once Joe was in front of me, I
would fly off his wing and let his autopilot do the navigating. I never asked,
but I doubt Joe was running full throttle at cruise. Nor was I while flying
off his wing. You'll have to ask Joe if his observations were any different
from mine.
-Jeff Scott
Los Alamos,NM
