Takeoff: Difference between revisions

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For propeller-driven aircraft, takeoff distance has been shown to be nearly proportional to wing loading (aircraft weight divided by wing area) and inversely proportional to the density ratio (actual density divided by sea level density), power-to-weight ratio, and the maximum takeoff lift coefficient.
For propeller-driven aircraft, takeoff distance has been shown to be nearly proportional to wing loading (aircraft weight divided by wing area) and inversely proportional to the density ratio (actual density divided by sea level density), power-to-weight ratio, and the maximum takeoff lift coefficient.


== Effect of the High Compression STC and Sensenich Propeller ==
== Effect of the High Compression STC, PowerFlow Exhaust, and Sensenich Propeller ==


The High Compression STC for the O-320 engines adds approximately 7.5 brake horsepower.  Because the additional brake power allows the propeller to be turned faster and most Grummans have cruise propellers, the effect of the higher rotation speed is that the propeller now operates more efficiently.  This means that more of the original 150 HP from the stock engine makes it into the air as thrust.  It is also believed that the Sensenich propeller is more efficient by design than the original McCauley propeller.  Therefore the combination of the High Compression STC and Sensenich propeller allows significantly more power to be converted to thrust than the stock configuration.
As stated in [[Basic Engine and Propeller Performance]], the improvement in thrust power from the [[High Compression STC]] at speeds consistent with the takeoff roll is about 10%.  Since takeoff distance is inversely proportional to power, takeoff distance will be reduced by about 10%.    To determine the effect of exhaust and propeller improvements, those increments would have to be added to the engine curves as discussed in [[Basic Engine and Propeller Performance]] and new RPM equilibrium points found.  But like the [[High Compression STC]], the result is more thrust power than the increase in brake power would indicate.


It can be shown that the reduction in takeoff distance is a combination of two factors.  The first is due to raw propeller efficiency improvement.  More efficiency means more of the original 150HP makes it into the air as thrust.  The reduction in takeoff distance due to the first factor is approximately the percent increase in propeller efficiency.  The second factor also contains propeller efficiency improvement but also the effect of the additional brake power from the High Compression STC.  More specifically, the second factor is the product of the ratio of propeller efficiencies and the ratio of the extra brake power (7.5 HP) to the original brake power (150 HP) of the engine. 
== Use of Partial Flaps For Takeoff ==


Although actual propeller efficiencies numbers are not available, assume an overall 10% improvement.  Then the first factor gives an approximate reduction in takeoff distance of 10%, and the second factor gives a reduction in takeoff distance of about 5% ( (1 + 0.1)*7.5/150 ).  The effect that the High Compression STC has on propeller efficiency is two (2) times the effect of the additional power from the High Compression STC.  For a 20% improvement in efficiency, these factors are 20% and 6% respectively.  So the effect that the High Compression STC has on propeller efficiency is now three (3) times the effect of the additional power from the High Compression STC!  For takeoff distance, the main impact of the High Compression STC is to allow more of the original 150HP to be converted into thrust.  The secondary impact is the additional 7.5 HP.
Discussion about the use of partial flaps for takeoff can be found in [[Normal Procedures]].  While some claim that takeoff performance improves, measured takeoff distance performance actually varies per conditions.  There is definitely a pitch attitude change beyond 1/3 flap deflection in an AA5x, that may feel more comfortable for some, and the use of flaps may improve angle-of-climb performance.  There are only Ron Levy's and Bill Wilson's flight test flights that have been published in the AYA Star.
 
The following figure illustrates the percent reduction in takeoff distance for any combination of propeller efficiency.  Shown on the plot are the lines where the propeller efficiency improvement is 5% and 10%.
 
[[Image:takeoff_distance_improvement.png]]

Latest revision as of 20:41, 12 May 2014

Factors Influencing Ground Roll

For propeller-driven aircraft, takeoff distance has been shown to be nearly proportional to wing loading (aircraft weight divided by wing area) and inversely proportional to the density ratio (actual density divided by sea level density), power-to-weight ratio, and the maximum takeoff lift coefficient.

Effect of the High Compression STC, PowerFlow Exhaust, and Sensenich Propeller

As stated in Basic Engine and Propeller Performance, the improvement in thrust power from the High Compression STC at speeds consistent with the takeoff roll is about 10%. Since takeoff distance is inversely proportional to power, takeoff distance will be reduced by about 10%. To determine the effect of exhaust and propeller improvements, those increments would have to be added to the engine curves as discussed in Basic Engine and Propeller Performance and new RPM equilibrium points found. But like the High Compression STC, the result is more thrust power than the increase in brake power would indicate.

Use of Partial Flaps For Takeoff

Discussion about the use of partial flaps for takeoff can be found in Normal Procedures. While some claim that takeoff performance improves, measured takeoff distance performance actually varies per conditions. There is definitely a pitch attitude change beyond 1/3 flap deflection in an AA5x, that may feel more comfortable for some, and the use of flaps may improve angle-of-climb performance. There are only Ron Levy's and Bill Wilson's flight test flights that have been published in the AYA Star.