Which is the longest range GA aircraft?
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If you want to know the records have a look here.
But most of those will be with non-standard fuel tanks added.
Not only does Dick Rutan have the overall record, but he's there in Class C1B (piston) with a Long-Eze flight from Alaska to the West Indies and C1B (Rocket powered) with a flight of 16km.
Ferry pilots regularly take fuel for 2,000 NM plus (or nearly in the case of the C310 pilot in Hawaii last week!).
Maybe you want to be more specific, like unmodified, certified, standard category. You might then get more specific answers.
Last weekend I was managing 152 KTAS at 10,000' and 6.2 USG/hour in my RV by running LOP at 58% power. That would give me over 1000nm on standard (42USG) fuel, so doubling the fuel capacity could give me maybe 2000nm and still under MTOW solo. Go over to Santa Paula and talk to Klaus Xavier and see what he's achieved in his Eze.
But most of those will be with non-standard fuel tanks added.
Not only does Dick Rutan have the overall record, but he's there in Class C1B (piston) with a Long-Eze flight from Alaska to the West Indies and C1B (Rocket powered) with a flight of 16km.
Ferry pilots regularly take fuel for 2,000 NM plus (or nearly in the case of the C310 pilot in Hawaii last week!).
Maybe you want to be more specific, like unmodified, certified, standard category. You might then get more specific answers.
Last weekend I was managing 152 KTAS at 10,000' and 6.2 USG/hour in my RV by running LOP at 58% power. That would give me over 1000nm on standard (42USG) fuel, so doubling the fuel capacity could give me maybe 2000nm and still under MTOW solo. Go over to Santa Paula and talk to Klaus Xavier and see what he's achieved in his Eze.
Factory stock I would say the Navion Rangemaster would have the longest legs. It has 108 gallons as factory standard and will do about 1500 Nm in still air. However a Bonanza or Comanche with after-market tip tanks will hold up to 130 gallons which would give a still air max range of close to 2000 Nm.
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FAI World Distance record
Current World free distance record is 2256.9km. That's without extra tanks. In fact it's without any fuel at all as it was achieved in a glider by Klaus Olhmann in Argentina on 2010-01-12.
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Current World free distance record is 2256.9km. That's without extra tanks. In fact it's without any fuel at all as it was achieved in a glider by Klaus Olhmann in Argentina on 2010-01-12.
Cheers,
DG800
I've seen some pretty interesting flights done with Twin Commanches with the standard tip tanks, I'd rate that one as a pretty LH aircraft.
Also the Robin HR100 Series has pretty long legs with up to 10 hrs endurance at 130-140 kts, that is 1300 NM.
Mooneys are of course very efficient but with additional tanks is where it gets interesting. My "C" will do about 650 NM with standard tanks, were I to add Monroy tanks (36 USG additional fuel) I'd think 1200 NM should be possible (including 45 mins reserve). However, this comes at a price. With full standard tanks (52 USG) I can still fit roughly 270 kgs, with the Monroys I'd be flying alone with 170 kgs maximum payload left. That is why I have so far not installed the Monroys.
The newer Mooneys can of course do a lot more, the Ovation as has been advertized with a 1800 NM regular and 2400 NM long range tank range. Guess that would make it top of the class. Rough calcs on payload however sais, this plane will lift around 150-180 kgs out at the full 128 USG long range tanks, with the standard 100 USG tanks it would be 220 kgs. So even with standard tanks, which give 1800 NM according to Mooney but probably rather something in the line of 1500 NM with reserves, you'll be at the limit with 2 grown ups and their bags.
I've been discussing these issues with some of the newer manufacturers on different airshows. Looking at some designs which are currently certified in the LSA class but which could do a lot more were it not for certification issues, might provide pretty interesting figures. Long haul travel in small planes are mostly done with one or two people on board plus baggage. Those engines use a lot less fuel then even an O360 let alone an O550. Quite a few of them have "artificial" MTOW's in order to put them in the LSA/VLA e.t.c. cathegory but could structurally or wifh modifications do a lot better. So I reckon, some pretty interesting designs might be possible if those planes were certified in the normal catheogry.
Say, a 2 seater which currently is certified to 600 kgs MTOW with a 75 hp Rotax and which has been "doctored" to not go over the 120 kts these planes can do. Fit a 125 or 140 hp engine in front, up the MTOW to 999 kgs and see what happens?
These things weigh about 300 kgs empty as LSA's, so allow 150 kgs on top for the larger engine and structural inprovement. 450 kgs empty. Add 2 "normal built" adults with 220 kgs and their bags with 60 kgs gives a ZFW of 730 kgs. With a projected MTOW of 999 kgs, that leaves space for 370 liters of fuel. Now, if we get even bolder and say we bolt a 150 hp O320 in front which will use around 30 liters per hour, that is 11 hours endurance plus reserve, @ speeds of maybe 140/150 kts? 1600 NM still air range with 330 liters of Mogas? Or, as some designers claim, their planes would do 180 kts with this kind of power and the same fuel flow? 2000 NM.
One test pilot of one of those designs told me they did try their prototype with a 125 HP engine out of a C152 and up to 750 kgs of weight for which the kit was originally designed. Sais, pity I can't show it to you,you'll want one. 130 kts @ 24 lph. Even with the standard tanks they use for the Rotax, that is a solid 4 hour endurance or 500 NM, but there is 150 kgs to spare which could translate into more fuel, without breaching any legal limits. Now get a more modern engine which may do the same for 20 lph?
Somehow I hope someone comes up with a design like that....
Best regards
AN2 driver
Also the Robin HR100 Series has pretty long legs with up to 10 hrs endurance at 130-140 kts, that is 1300 NM.
Mooneys are of course very efficient but with additional tanks is where it gets interesting. My "C" will do about 650 NM with standard tanks, were I to add Monroy tanks (36 USG additional fuel) I'd think 1200 NM should be possible (including 45 mins reserve). However, this comes at a price. With full standard tanks (52 USG) I can still fit roughly 270 kgs, with the Monroys I'd be flying alone with 170 kgs maximum payload left. That is why I have so far not installed the Monroys.
The newer Mooneys can of course do a lot more, the Ovation as has been advertized with a 1800 NM regular and 2400 NM long range tank range. Guess that would make it top of the class. Rough calcs on payload however sais, this plane will lift around 150-180 kgs out at the full 128 USG long range tanks, with the standard 100 USG tanks it would be 220 kgs. So even with standard tanks, which give 1800 NM according to Mooney but probably rather something in the line of 1500 NM with reserves, you'll be at the limit with 2 grown ups and their bags.
I've been discussing these issues with some of the newer manufacturers on different airshows. Looking at some designs which are currently certified in the LSA class but which could do a lot more were it not for certification issues, might provide pretty interesting figures. Long haul travel in small planes are mostly done with one or two people on board plus baggage. Those engines use a lot less fuel then even an O360 let alone an O550. Quite a few of them have "artificial" MTOW's in order to put them in the LSA/VLA e.t.c. cathegory but could structurally or wifh modifications do a lot better. So I reckon, some pretty interesting designs might be possible if those planes were certified in the normal catheogry.
Say, a 2 seater which currently is certified to 600 kgs MTOW with a 75 hp Rotax and which has been "doctored" to not go over the 120 kts these planes can do. Fit a 125 or 140 hp engine in front, up the MTOW to 999 kgs and see what happens?
These things weigh about 300 kgs empty as LSA's, so allow 150 kgs on top for the larger engine and structural inprovement. 450 kgs empty. Add 2 "normal built" adults with 220 kgs and their bags with 60 kgs gives a ZFW of 730 kgs. With a projected MTOW of 999 kgs, that leaves space for 370 liters of fuel. Now, if we get even bolder and say we bolt a 150 hp O320 in front which will use around 30 liters per hour, that is 11 hours endurance plus reserve, @ speeds of maybe 140/150 kts? 1600 NM still air range with 330 liters of Mogas? Or, as some designers claim, their planes would do 180 kts with this kind of power and the same fuel flow? 2000 NM.
One test pilot of one of those designs told me they did try their prototype with a 125 HP engine out of a C152 and up to 750 kgs of weight for which the kit was originally designed. Sais, pity I can't show it to you,you'll want one. 130 kts @ 24 lph. Even with the standard tanks they use for the Rotax, that is a solid 4 hour endurance or 500 NM, but there is 150 kgs to spare which could translate into more fuel, without breaching any legal limits. Now get a more modern engine which may do the same for 20 lph?
Somehow I hope someone comes up with a design like that....
Best regards
AN2 driver
Last edited by AN2 Driver; 27th Oct 2011 at 15:54.
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In 1959 Max Conrad flew Comanche 250 N110LF non-stop from Casablanca, Morocco to Los Angeles, a distance of 7,668 mi (12,340 km).[5] This distance record (for aircraft in the 1750-3000 kilogram weight class) stood until 1987. With interior seats replaced by fuel tanks, the aircraft was loaded 2,000 lb (910 kg) over its production gross weight limit when Conrad took off from Casablanca.
A few months later, on November 24, 1959, Conrad set the record (that still stands) for the 1000-1750 kg weight class, flying from Casablanca to El Paso, Texas in the same aircraft fitted with a smaller engine, with a flight time of 56 hours.[
Wow !!
A few months later, on November 24, 1959, Conrad set the record (that still stands) for the 1000-1750 kg weight class, flying from Casablanca to El Paso, Texas in the same aircraft fitted with a smaller engine, with a flight time of 56 hours.[
Wow !!
In 1959 Max Conrad flew Comanche 250 N110LF non-stop from Casablanca, Morocco to Los Angeles, a distance of 7,668 mi (12,340 km).[5] This distance record (for aircraft in the 1750-3000 kilogram weight class) stood until 1987. With interior seats replaced by fuel tanks, the aircraft was loaded 2,000 lb (910 kg) over its production gross weight limit when Conrad took off from Casablanca.
A few months later, on November 24, 1959, Conrad set the record (that still stands) for the 1000-1750 kg weight class, flying from Casablanca to El Paso, Texas in the same aircraft fitted with a smaller engine, with a flight time of 56 hours.[
A few months later, on November 24, 1959, Conrad set the record (that still stands) for the 1000-1750 kg weight class, flying from Casablanca to El Paso, Texas in the same aircraft fitted with a smaller engine, with a flight time of 56 hours.[
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I know which one I would rather be sat in for 1,000NM. I'd be surprised if the CT could actually make it to 1,000NM - the wings would fall off first, or it would get broken by the wake turbulence from a passing pidgeon. I do not trust the CT at all!
Realistically 570-770 nm in CT, 85-125kts, 1 hr reserve.
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You consider a Lancair IV? 110 gals at 20 gph at 250 true will theoretically get you just under 1400 nm. The farthest I've flown it was Denver to Macon, GA (1100nm), with 500 lbs of payload and I had about 15 gals remaining at shutdown - and a very full bladder.
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Sorry to necropost, but Bill Harrelsons 38hr record flight from Guam to Jacksonville non stop deserves to be in this thread. My goodness - that one will be hard to beat!
EAA News - Long-Distance Lancair: EAAer Sets Unofficial Flight Distance Record
EAA News - Long-Distance Lancair: EAAer Sets Unofficial Flight Distance Record
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Desert185 No record, but I'm quite happy with the capability of my 185 that will haul 1,000# of 'stuff' out of a 700' strip, fly for 5+30 hours @ 150-160 MPH, and land on a 700' strip with an hour reserve. for my needs.
3/4 ton pickup/BMW GS kind of guy...
3/4 ton pickup/BMW GS kind of guy...
Landy Disco/KTM enduro kind of guy.
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The Robin Hr100/210 has 4 X 25 USG tanks and with the Continental IO 360 will cruise at 120kts at 22/22 probably using in the region of 10 USG / HR, so should give 1200 NMs to ZF. They don't make them like that anymore!
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Range and economy:
One hundred miles per gallon - AOPA
One hundred miles per gallon - AOPA
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Excellent piece of reading, the electronic ignition and fuel injection should of been brought in 20 years ago, but like anything GA, its such a lengthy and expensive process to get certified, so why bother for a rapidly shrinking market.
