Sonnerai record attempt today

[Horatio Leafblower]

Heard VH-SGS talking to BN CEN today overhead Emerald (or thereabouts) and maintaining FL200 I think it was... discussing descent to FL170.

This is VH-SGS:

http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/2/0/8/2/63946_1180239280_tb.jpg

:ok:

He was heading for Rocky for the verification of his time and then on to Gladstone.

What was the record attempt (ampart from "speed"... derr) and did he get it?

[VH-XXX]

No idea on the record attempt however that machine is impressive to the least. From memory it's a 100hp 912uls with mixture control (modified) and gets along at some ridiculous speed like 170 knots tas on 12 litres an hour. I heard about it at Narromine - VERY impressive!

[startingout]

had a look on the net just then for specs, 140mph and 500ft climb out, would be awsome with that fuel burn, just cant really see it reaching fl's anytime soon

[Horatio Leafblower]

Well I admit I was thinking it must have been a turboprop.... until I got into the motel and looked it up on the net.

He was discussing the Class A step with BN CEN and descending below it. :eek:

[muddergoose]

Does anyone have more information on this particular flight? Does it have a turbocharger because it would have been painful to climb to FL200 otherwise.

[Green gorilla]

Is that the 912 thats turbo charged so going to FL is possible.

[kalavo]

912uls is normally aspirated with an extra 15 horses over the original 912.

914 is turbocharged.

[VH-XXX]

It's no bull, it does go to those heights no dramas. The aircraft has been around for at-least 4-5 years that I know of. 100 horses is a lot for this type of machine, so the specs that you have read on the internet would be for the original AeroVee (Volkswagon) power plant.

The engine is modified but I can't remember how, something like Electronic Injection or something - either way the numbers are impressive.

I saw and heard a GA Jab heading up to FL160 not long ago with naturally aspirated 120 horses (the streched 230-430 series). It got there no dramas.

[youngmic]

There is at least one other Soneria in Oz with a 914 turbo in it but I don't think it can claim 170 TAS @ 12L/hr.

But with tweaking it could be acheavable.

The second prototype Vari-eze built by Burt Rutan acheived 25,300 ft on a naturaly aspirated 0-200 100hp Continental and the Long ez made 32,000 ft with the standard 0-235 118hp Lycoming.

Klaus Zaviers (US) Vari-eze used to achieve 220 TAS at FL160 with a modified naturally aspirated fixed pitch 150 hp 0-200 Continental and could also acheive 160 TAS on 12L/hr

The flat plate drag area of the eze's and the Soneria would be very similar.

[Jabawocky]

Some crazy Doctor from down Sydney way was flight testing his Jab 230/430 off the coast of Bundy and Fraser. Had O2 and was up around the 17-20K mark, I bet the climb was not rapid, and the controls were light!

O2 for the Rv might be next.........:}

J

[Jamair]

Used to regularly fly a Piper PA28 Archer 1 at F110 to 140 around Western Qld; 180hp lyco fixed pitch prop.

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

I've had the FTDK to FL140. Took 20 min to get there!

As I understand it the ceiling is FL170, but I have yet to test that!

Dr :8

[slackie]

20,000ft...bl00dy hell...I don' think this one's been over 2,000ft!!
http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v204/233/2/707881562/n707881562_665893_8312.jpg

[bushy]

I've had a Vtail up to 18000 ft.

We also used to have a regular visitor arrive in Alice Springs in a glassair. He used to get up in the mid teens, and get great range from his aircraft. His payload was small but performance and economy was great.