Thread: Golf bags and the CT

OK, so I am going to guess that if I move into an LS or SW I won't be taking my golf clubs anywhere....

How much baggage space does the plane really have? I have see just a few pictures of the baggage compartment and it was hard to tell how big it is. I see people doing cross country flights with these planes so unless they are just carrying a change of undies, some kind of suitcase must fit. What is the practical size limit of a bag.

Thanks

Hi Redpenny. This may be a sensitive subject due to the recent Tecnam accident in Texas where it is suspected that a loose flashlight may have jammed the rear flight surface controls. I don't golf but know that there is quite a lot of room in the baggage area. I just made some foam closeout panels for the baggage access port behind my seats and the hole is about 15" X 20" size. The area in the storage is long enough to accept a piece of luggage that could fit thru this access port and that would be perharps 3' or 4' long? The weight limit per side for baggage is 50 lbs. Of course, one would want to check their weight and balance to insure that it was OK if doing this - AND, make sure that all is secured! Maybe a golfer will respond to your thread.

this bag would never work

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this bag should work fine

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it does take a minute to remove and replace the seat, you can't get a golf bag, or skis in any other way.

There is supposedly an external cargo pod available. Its intent is to carry a wheelchair. I have never seen one, don't know how it affects performance, how big it is, how much it costs, etc.

Dick,

I will read up on the accident. I had something similar happen to me, but did not crash. We had some panel work done on my Archer and I took it up after the A&P returned it to the tie down. What I did not know was that he had left a work light hanging on the wires under behind the panel. On climb out the light unhooked and became wedged in the passenger side pedals so that I had no rudder control. I was in the complicated airspace of the SFO Bravo, the SJC Charlie and Military for Moffat Field. Called the controllers and told them the situation. They cleared the airspace, I slapped on the autopilot and crawled over the seat to free the pedals. It all turned out OK, but I had a few choice words with the mechanic when I finally landed back at KPAO. Luckily the object was in a place that I could get to, but it was pretty tense up there for awhile.

Wow, Skis!?!?!? Charlie Tango, my bag is like the smaller one, a travel bag as we call it, light and slim. So you take the back seats out to get stuff in, makes sense. The only plane that I have flown with a cargo pod is a Cessna Caravan, full of stuff and it was like flying a bottom heavy whale. Thanks for taking the time to answer, appreciated. The more I hear, the more I like the plane. They sound versatile and that means a lot to me as a pilot and vacation hound.

RP

Ski's and golf bags will fit fine but be sure to tie down. Normal airline bag will not fit through opening on the SW but could enter through the passage behind the seat. I prefer to carry soft luggage which is flexible and not a problem fitting thru the regular cargo door.

Redpenny, the seat needs to be removed to get to the storage access opening but is is quick and simple to do this. There are only two seats in the CT's so you aren't taking the rear seat out. A set of snow skiis could easily be carried in the back. Based on the hair raising story you are fortunate enough to be able to tell, no one needs to tell you that anything that is put in the storage area is done at one's own risk and MUST be well tied down. I took a picture of my left baggage area located just rearward of the left cockpit door with the external baggage door removed and hanging down to the side of the plane. I am kneeling down and shooting into the storage area with the camera pointed forward towards the black curtain that covers the access opening behind the left seat. This access hole you see is about 15" X 21". From this curtain rearward the fuselage tapers approximately 6' to 7' back to the tail. There is an identical storage area on the right side of the plane too. You may be able to make out some wires in the picture and there are also components that are not in the picture. All are critical to keeping the aircraft in the air. Oops, I'm preachin' to the choir here.......
left storage opening.jpg

Dick,

Thank you so much for the pictures, they are very helpful and really clear up how I would store and transport items in the plane. The pedal incident is the closest I have come, and ever want to come to having a serious problem while flying. I am a very conservative pilot which is why I am checking out the CT's as much as I possibly can. Your help and the information I have gotten from other pilots is invaluable. I have already contacted FlightDesigns West for a test flight and I have warned my guys over at Dorr aviation that they are going to have to do their money thing by the summer. One can learn a lot from brochures and the like, but there is nothing like talking to other pilots. Thanks again.

David

RP, glad that I helped you visualize things. I'm not sure that you'll find another LSA that offers the comfort, performance, range and passenger/luggage capacity that the CT's provide. Not sure if you've looked into the range of a CT? With power pulled back and cruising at around 113 kts. I run at about 4.5 gal/hr. 33 gallons @ 4.5 gal./hr. = 6.5 hours @ 130mph IAS (with one hour reserve). This includes golf bags!