Thread: Aft CG

After picking up a case of beer and a case of wine up North the wife and I flew the CTSW back fully loaded. I weighed everything, and we had exactly 110 lbs in the luggage compartment. Did you know you can store 4 wine bottles under each seat of a CTSW? Add that weight to pilot and passenger.

As it was, we could only take off with 25 gal of fuel, and when it was down to 8 gallons the CG was 1" from the aft limit.

Observations:
Stability was great. Much easier to trim than when lightly loaded.
No affect on speed, probably because of the lower downforce of the stabilator.
Landing elevator trim was all the way forward.
If you get a bounce touching down if won't come down on the nose wheel.
If you do a short field 15-flap takeoff, the nose will come up at 15 kt (even with the trim all the way forward). You have to force it to stay in ground effect until you get 50kt or so.

I'll post a picture of our haul.

The CT has one of the best CG operating limits I have seen and flown in many years. You can load it up front or back. It can carry far more than 1320 lbs. (shhh don't tell anyone) and it just keeps on going and has no adverse characteristics.

Originally Posted by opticsguy

I'll post a picture of our haul.

Who needs a 182?

Doug

Per Roger, I need FD approval to post a pic without wheel pants

I took off a bit over 1320 lbs in 102 degree humid air and still did 500 FPM. During climb-out I got my oil to 205 degrees for the first time, and my CHT hit 210, but settled at 190 for cruise. No cooling issues here.

Hi Scott,

Temps sound very good on a nice hot day. Humidity should not affect metal engine temps, just our skin temps. Glad you had a fun flight. We will definitely have to meet one day. Are you coming to Page, Az. Fly-In? Looks like it's going to be big and fat with CT's from everywhere.
I would do my letter if I didn't have wheelpants. It was given its airworthy cert. with them. It takes an approval to change them. Just want to make sure no one else feels the FAA pain. The other guy who got hit with several violations for changes had no letters and it sounds like some guy reported him who just didn't like him.
Better to get the Mama duck in front before you lead out with the baby ducks. (getting you ducks lined up)
I will be the first in line to admit I have not always followed the letter of the law through the years. Now that I legally do everyone's maint. I have tried to turn over a new leaf. Yes it hurts some times.

I might try to hit that (the fly-in). Where is the main thread again?

Hi Scott,

It's under "Trips" then Page Fly-In. We really hope to see you there. This might be one of the biggest CT pilot meetings and pilgrimages so far.

FYI. I got the approval for flying without wheel pants. I have the .pdf if someone can tell me how to upload it to the forum.

Hi Scott,

Just set up and get ready to send a normal post. Then down on the right hand side you will see add an attachment. Click on that then it comes up in a window and says browse. Click on that, find you pdf file on your computer files when the window opens. Click on the pdf and add it for an attachment. You will then be put back to the CT page and see your pdf file named in a window. Just click on attach and now all you have to do is hit submit.

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thank you Roger . know I think I know how to insert a photo. Know I will post lots of them