C172 to Rallye MS880B conversion [Archive]

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jkveenstra

9th Apr 2011, 08:49

S-Works

9th Apr 2011, 08:51

It will take you all of 10 minutes to learn to fly the tin parachute. Just remember the only reason they get airborne is the curve of the earth.....

Enjoy!

englishal

9th Apr 2011, 10:05

Just remember the only reason they get airborne is the curve of the earth.....
The one you flew must have been knackered or of very low power. I can be at 1000' by the end of Bournemouth's runway ;)

S-Works

9th Apr 2011, 10:31

Or the one you have flown is powered by fairy dust...........;)

I was in a group for one and now instruct on 2 others from time to time as well as a couple of the Franklin powered ones.

None are startling performers. Small engine with a very draggy airframe is never going to produce amazing performance. Even the big engined ones with the Franklin in are not very fast although they do climb quite well.

mikehallam

9th Apr 2011, 11:01

I learnt to fly in the U.K. on the C152, and a soon as licenced at approx. 45 hours tried the big C172, also hired the 100 h.p Rallye.
Back in 1969 it was a good performer - considering what I'd been learning on, plenty of room and no trouble to fly compared with the Cessnas.

Give it a try - probably for the first flight the hirer will come with you for a check-out. Naturally get & read to pilot's notes.

mike hallam.

2hotwot

9th Apr 2011, 21:18

Nothing wrong with a Rallye - unless you are the owner of a corroded one.

Many years back I remember an ex Rallye owner saying that there were numerous cases in his early flying days when any other aircraft would probably have killed him for some of the liberties he took with it.

PPL - Air Touring 1972 - happy days.

POBJOY

10th Apr 2011, 08:04

Flying and handling a doddle, great view for sightseeing, main change for you would be not having a steerable nosewheel therefore important to ensure both brakes are working (downwind check) for any xwind landing / taxying.
100 hp Rallye has four seats but it is not a 4 seater in practice.

KeesM

11th Apr 2011, 11:40

This summer I booked a holiday to Portugal. I'm planning to do some flying as well. I found an operator in Portimao with a Rallye MS880B. Untill now I only have experience on a C172 and only have logged 80 hours.

Is it hard to convert to this aircraft, considering the following?:

Upperwing vs. Lowerwing
Systems (are they similar?)
Yoke vs. Stick

Is the Rallye suitable for a tall person (1.91m)?

Thank you for your input. Does anybody have a copy of a POH of the Rallye (I googled, but couldn't find one)?.

Yes, you will fit in a Rallye, I'm 1.88m and never had a problem.
The only thing you have to consider is if you use the center throttle your left knee can interfere with the left throttle.
Do keep the landing speed correct, come in too fast and you are in for a suprise.(What happens is with too much speed in the flare the slats pop out, you get more lift and drag so the Rallye jumps up a few feet and then drops like a brick again) Nothing to worry about, just keep your hand on the throttle.
A Rallye has more direct controls than a 172 and the view is great under that canopy.

Ralleys are great aircraft, have fun.

englishal

12th Apr 2011, 12:22

The Rallye does have a draggy airframe, but it far out performs the usual SEPs in many other ways.

Ours has 160HP and although cruise speed is 95kts or 100 if you firewall the throttle, the aeroplane is brilliant at STOL due to the L/E slats. You can put out full flap and do steep turns at 60 kts and it is solid as a rock. You can dump it onto the ground in some rough small strip, and it is fine. You can climb at 1000 fpm with 2 POB after a 200m ground roll. You can loop, roll, spin, stall turn it. It is highly manoeuvrable and can be chucked around at low level without fear of biting you and has great vis. I am 185cm tall and fit in no problem.

In short, I love the Rallye (higher power versions anyway), and given the choice between a 160HP C172, PA28 or Rallye, I'd go for the Rallye every time.

jkveenstra

12th Apr 2011, 15:25

Thank you for all your comments.

After reading your comments, I'm very keen to have a go in a Rallye.

I will go up with an instructor at first, of course. I'll see how fast it climbs in the hot Portugese weather. ;)

Ultranomad

12th Apr 2011, 22:36

You can loop, roll, spin, stall turn it.
Alan, is it certified for limited aerobatics, or is it just a known performance envelope you are describing?

NASRI9

13th Apr 2011, 00:18

If there's any rough air the slats may pop in and out a couple of times making a slamming sound you might not be used to in an aeroplane but it's nothing to worry about. Also watch out for the mixture & carb heat knobs - they look very similar, can give you a nice surprise if you pull the wrong one on short finals!

englishal

13th Apr 2011, 15:41

Alan, is it certified for limited aerobatics, or is it just a known performance envelope you are describing?
It is certified for limited aero's in the utility catagory, including all of the above, if harnesses and G meter are fitted (which they are in ours)...

(NB: Not ALL are certified, ours is the 150SV and it is certified).

Ultranomad

13th Apr 2011, 16:26

Thanks, this is an important piece of info. This model may be one of the least expensive certified aerobatic aircraft...

Wessex Boy

15th Apr 2011, 10:45

I have just got my group signoff on a 180T, having been flying a club PA28 161 previously, and Cessnas years ago.

Concur with all of the above, just to add that you don't want to sit on the back of the drag curve on final either otherwise it will go into Tin Parachute mode as soon as you close the throttle.

Much better to approach a bit high and then sideslip until the picture looks right and you can slip it over the hedge to a greaser...;)

I actually found taxying the thing harder than flying it!!

Lovely aircraft, good balance of docile flying characteristics with fun handling and a bit of French Character

Dan Winterland

16th Apr 2011, 05:47

''Is the Rallye suitable for a tall person (1.91m)?''

Yes. I used to own one and I'm 1.92m. Plenty of space, actually feels roomier than a 172.

IMHO, the Rallye is a very underrated aeroplane. It handles nicely, it's very safe, and aerobatic! Just make sure if buying one, that it's corrosion free.

Wessex Boy

16th Apr 2011, 08:56

The mid-90s (Polish) Koliber versions seem to be quite inexpensive when they come on the market... but they apparently have a lower gross weight than similar 150 HP French built versions. Anybody know why that is the case?
I would guess that the Koliber version uses the light Airframe (893) rather than the heavy airframe (894)

Most of the 150+ HP Rallyes use the heavier airframe but our 180T is an 893E

This is an excellent resource:
Rallye History (http://www.flyrallye.com/Rallye_History/rallye_history.html)