R44 Skid Fairings

[CRAN]

Chaps,

Has anyone ever flow an R44 with the skid fairings removed? Does it have any significant impact on cruise speed in practise?

Best Regards,
CRAN

[Lude-og]

I remember I flew one of our particular R44s without fairings for a long time and then they had the fairings reattached and the difference in performance was noticeably improved, cruise especially. We operated heavy and in mountainous terrain up to 6000ft AMSL. Would rather fly with them installed, that's for sure.

[CRAN]

Thanks Lude-og,

I don't suppose you can remember the numbers can you?

Many thanks,
CRAN

[ascj]

One fellow i worked with said 10 knots.

[Lude-og]

10 knots in the cruise sounds about right. Faster to get to max cruise etc.

[CRAN]

Thanks Guys

[Aluminium Mallard]

10 knots dreaming!

Regularly fly with them on and off. 2 or 3 knots at most hardly noticeable. If flying scenics recommend taking them off as they will be quickly be dented by punters using them as a ramp to get in the back