The Longest Cessna Skylane Flight, Ever
I flew this Skylane, N7272R, on the longest flight EVER! (for a Skylane, that is)
1,150 nautical miles, non-stop!
Here's the RADAR track, non-stop from Burbank, Los Angeles, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota...
That's right, 7 hours and 25 minutes, and 12 gallons of fuel to spare (about an hour's worth of extra fuel).
Here's more proof I did it. This is a photo of the aircraft GPS upon landing in Sioux Falls. The display shows the present time, the departure time, and the actual flight time after landing.
Here's even more proof if you want it: the radar data. (I don't know. Maybe some of you are geeky-types and want to program the flight into Google Earth or Microsoft Flight Sim or something.)
What did I do on the flight?
I
If you're not into airplane techy-talk, skip the next few paragraphs:
The 1998 and newer Skylanes carry up to 92 gallons of fuel, 87 gallons usable.
This 1999 Cessna Skylane is not turbo-charged. That means, it only has as much engine induction air pressure (manifold pressure - directly related to power) as there is outside air pressure. We know that standard atmospheric pressure lapse rate in inches of mercury is about 1 inch per thousand feet of altitude.
Try sometime: Change your altimeter setting 1 complete inch and you'll see the altimeter change about 1,000 feet.
Okay, so pressure at sea level (29.92 rounded to the nearest inch) is 30 inches. Climb to 5,000 feet, and all that's left is 25 inches of pressure. Climb to 10,000 feet, and all there is is 20 inches. Leave the throttle wide open as you climb in ANY non-turbo plane and this is exactly what you'll read on the manifold pressure gauge - the outside air pressure. (If you don't, there's something wrong with the gauge, I promise.) At 15,000 feet, you're halfway to zero pressure and power, kind-of. Remember from your private pilot weather class? At 18,000 feet, you're halfway out of the earth's atmosphere.
So, let's turn to the Skylane performance chart and read expected performance at altitude. These figures are at full throttle and recommended lean mixture:
10,000 feet, 20"Hg MP, (69% Power), 139 KTAS, 12.1 GPH
12,000 feet, 18"Hg MP, (61% Power), 133 KTAS, 10.9 GPH
14,000 feet, 16"Hg MP, (53% Power), 125 KTAS, 9.8 GPH
(Using 2,400 RPM in each case.)
Good news. The above speed figures are at maximum gross weight. With only me in the plane, true airspeed was more than 5 knots faster. My ground speed heading east was in the 160s.
More good news. Carry supplemental oxygen to breathe, and even the non-turbo Skylane can climb over 18,000 feet at max gross weight.
On this record flight, I flew between 13 and 15,000 feet, leaned to best economy (peak EGT). So let's do the math. 75 gallons divided by 7.4 hours, that's only 10.1 gallons/hour!
Non-techy types, start reading again...
This is how I prepared for the flight:
...a FREE foot massage. And...
FREE beverages, and FREE wireless Internet to check email and stuff. And...
Nice people waiting to help me.
Oh yeah, there was free parking too. And, did you notice in the first photo how we drove right up to the plane?!!
This is the very same Bob Hope airport in Burbank where Southwest lands...
...after its passengers are frisked, and pay for their parking and their Internet connection too.
Seven and a half hours later, 50° colder, wind, and SNOW...
I left Burbank, for WHY?!!
Um Steve? You're supposed to take your shoes OFF for that foot massager to work. Does no one tell you these things?
Reply to this
It tickles.
Reply to this
You just gave me some serious ammunition silly boy.
Reply to this
Wow that's pretty cool. I'm sure you enjoyed that 7 hours flight. I really envy people who know how to ride a plane or those who get a chance to ride on a Cessna planes.
Reply to this
Great show steve, that is my old plane. I actually watched that flight take place on flightaware. See ya
Mike
Reply to this
Stephen...
My dilemma...I'm 52, 65 hours PIC C172 SP owner 2K-MY 738 hours.
I am thinking about upgrading, to ????
million dollar question?
Mission....over the Rockies to Vancouver from Calgary, MEA's of 12K
Is the 182T...non turbo, the ideal AC
Da40XLS...lower ceiling g1000 low accident statistics
Columbia 300/350,,,is it too much AC for low time pilot???
I plan to start my IFR training soon
No plans to purposelly fly in IMC, if it happens, well, I will be able to handle it.
The AC is for pure pleasure no real business purpose.
All Feed back is highlly apreciated.
Frank Faria C-FARC
Calgary
Reply to this
Don't mean to burst your bubble, BUT, longest non stop Cessna flight - airborne 4 Dec 1958 - landed 7 Dec 1959. Over Nevada.
Reply to this