----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
I struggled with that issue when I needed to update an obviously
outdated W&B document for the checkride in my 415C.
We weighted the plane and found that instead of a useful load of 424
pounds, I had only 362 pounds!!!
I studied every imaginable way of reducing the weight of the plane,
but ended with only mild cuts:
I reduced the weight of the plane by 9 pounds by removing a huge old
attitude gyro ( - 4 pounds) and by replacing the battery ( - 5 pounds).
The pilot also lost weight ( -20 pounds) !!!!
In your case, removing the battery (22 - 25 pounds), generator ( 10 pounds)
and starter (16 pounds) would yield between 48 and 51 pounds of useful load
increase, which is significant.
It's your call. I would not go as far as removing the
electrics, as I would not want to hand prop and I would want a
transponder to fly under the DFW mode C veil. But that's only me. Again,
it's your call.
Eliacim Cortes
N87071
----- Original Message -----From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2006 9:40 AMSubject: [COUPERS-TECH] Useful load?----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----I am about 2/3 finished with the restoration with my 46 415-c and have a DILEMMA . I'm sure most, if not all, of you experienced 415-c guys and girls have pondered. Due to the very limited useful load, appx. 400-450 #'s, I've decided to save weight by eliminating my starter, gen., battery, side panels, and carpeting. This will,of course, necessitate using the armstrong starter and no electrics , lights, installed radios, nav units , etc.My question is , have any of you done this ? If so , appx. how much did you save on weight, and do you think the savings in wt. is worth the trade off? Also, I have metal wings which will exacerbate my situation.I throughly enjoyed meeting so many of you fellow Coupers and look fwd. to seeing you in Terrell. Tx. in June. Larry Andrews, NC2214H============================================================================== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm
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