Thread: UK CT2K needs to go on a diet!!!

Hi folks,
This post relates to the problem that us UK CT owners have & that is that the empty weight of the CT2K/SW must be under 265Kg!

Our aircraft currently weighs just under the limit (264kg) which presents a problem as we were planning on fitting 3.5 KG worth of kit.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might be able to get the weight down?

Some ideas I have up to now are:

Change the battery for a light weight version

Change tyres for grass strip type

Drain wing tanks completely using a siphon tube in the tank


If anyone could give me some more ideas I'd be most grateful.

Cheers,
Shaun

minimize instruments
remove brs
2 blade prop

Shaun, I think you are confusing the typical weight of a CT2K with the required weight. My permit for G-KKCW was amended in 2008 to 268 kgs. And only this past month my CT2K was revalidated by Billie Brooks, clearly showing that higher weight requirement.
If you still want to reduce weight you could remove… Spinner and back plate, all 3 spats, co-pilot stick, seat covers, strobe light and then put them all back in after the official weighing!
This is the main reason why I’ll be putting my CT on the Irish register at the end of this year; there is no min/max empty weight requirement only the MTOW of 450 kgs.

CT2K TADS says typical weight is 264 kgs…….
http://www.bmaa.org/upload/techdocs/200 ... BM65_5.pdf

CTSW TADS says typical weight is 266 kgs…
http://www.bmaa.org/upload/techdocs/200 ... 20CTSW.pdf


Mac

Hi folks,

Charlie Tango, unfortunately the CT wasn't fitted with a BRS + the only intruments the CT2K came out of the factory with are a Brauniger Alpha MFD (all instrumentation in one panel) + compass. This was to keep the weight within limit for the UK market :s

>Shaun, I think you are confusing the typical weight of a CT2K with the required weight. My permit for G-KKCW was >amended in 2008 to 268 kgs. And only this past month my CT2K was revalidated by Billie Brooks, clearly showing that >higher weight requirement.

CTCW, what you said is very interesting. How did you manage to get the higher weight requirement authorised? I was always led to believe that the aircraft had to be under 265Kg regardless, unless of course one has a BRS which allows an extra 25Kg.

Maybe you could give me more details on this?

Thanks for your replys guys.

Regards,
Shaun

Hi shaun,

Mac is right. its 268kgs here in the uk

so u just need to fing 1.5kgs

is that bangor n.ireland and if so, i take it that thats the one at ards!!!

cheers neil

HI Neil

Must be the one in North Wales .... You should only get weighed every 5 years or so ....I'm about to put an SW front spat and strut farring on to G-CBAI (the one in Ards), so what with the sun-visors like yours (thanks for that !) I'll have to wash her if she needs to go on the scales for this year's annual ! ...... all this high octane stuff has been bad for her waist !!

John

Shaun, It’s definitely 268 kgs so with your existing 264 kgs + your 3.5 kgs you should be o.k.
I’ll email you a copy of my recent weighing data if needed.
By the way, I also had the CTSW front spat fitted for the weighing and all was O.K.
John, when you do fit the spat don’t attempt replacing the small nut and bolt at the rear of the top curve of the spat, it’s almost impossible to reach down the fairing leg to tighten. Fit a long bolt facing up and secure it with a nut on top of the bracket and just slide the front spat down to sit on the extended bolt threads.

Mac

OK, after speaking with PM aviation, it seems the seat covers are worth 1Kg and there is also the option to remove the heat shield from the fuel pipes (CTSW doesn't have this!) and there's the spats.

I don't think weight will be a problem now

Thanks everyone

PS. I am indeed based in Bangor, N Wales. Aircraft is in Caernarfon International

Hi Mac

Thanks for the 'how to' on the front spat ....minor problem .....inside the spat/fairing the small 'support plate' that the upward facing bolt would engage with doesn't have a hole in it ??

Did yours ?

I was thinking of drilling it out a bit more than the bolt and fitting a rubber gromet ? Might make it harder to drop on but cut vibration ......can you see any downside?

If you check out avionics and Airbox Foresite the interior will look familiar !

John

Hi John,

I haven't seen one without a hole drilled in the support plate. Putting a rubber grommet in it won't hurt a thing. That pin that goes through the support plate does keep the spat from moving once the axel bolts are put in place.