Hi Everyone Thanks to everyone for all the great advice on fuel tank leaks and elevator control rigging. I've sealed my tanks, changed my elevator control rod to the correct hole, and installed landing gear spacers to raise the tail 12 inches. The annual is done and I put about 4 hours on 99399 this weekend, WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
Here's my (unbiased of course) two cents worth on a Coupe's take off and landing capabilities with an 0200 installed. I've never measured the distances exactly but can say this. We have an old hairy scary sod strip close to home that we often visit. The edges are lined with tall trees and there is a HUGE pine tree at one end of the strip. The 150's and 152's turn out early because they haven't gained enough altitude to clear the tree. I cross over the top of the tree looking down on it with a good 100 feet to spare. There's no doubt in anyone's mind around here that a Coupe will take off and climb with the best of them. Landing is a blast since I've now got my elevator rigged correctly. With much practice at altitude this weekend I discovered that with 1500 RPMs and full up elevator, I could maintain altitude and fly at an indicated 40 MPH. With 1800 RPMs and full up elevator, the Coupe stands at a ridiculously high nose up attitude and climbs at about 50 FPM at an indicated 38 MPH. I believe my air speed indicator might read just a little slow, but you get the general idea. Anyway, I took my brother in law for a ride(he normally flies a 152) and we made a very high approach to the before mentioned sod field. He assured me we were way too high to get down and I just grinned at him as I pulled the throttle off and slowly applied full up elevator (as the factory recommends for loosing altitude). Jim's eyeballs became very big as I controlled my rate of descent with power. We touched down at about 40 MPH very gently and as we did I chopped power and the Coupe came to a stop almost immediately. Guess who wants to sell his 152 and buy a Coupe! I realize this isn't the way you'd want to land a Coupe all the time. Obviously if the engine quit you'd be in big trouble. I normally approach like everyone else at about 70 and slow her up coming over the numbers for a nice gentle touch down. However, it's nice to know what the plane is capable of if the need ever arises. Happy Flying Everyone, Thanks Again! Roger
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