T-28A Pilot/PPI report

You hear from a lot of folks on the A model being a bit sluggish or even underpowered, so it's time to run the take-off numbers here in hot south Texas.

I pulled out the old pilot manual and ran a summer case scenario. On a hot 100 degree F day here in San Antonio the density altitude is usually around 3,700 feet for SAT's 800 foot elevation. Using a gross weight of 7000 pounds the take off distance with zero headwind is about 2000 feet ground run. On the more typical 85 degree day here it plots at around 1750 feet with zero headwind.

Whay are you Dallas guys seeing up there?

 

Thanks

Hey everyone - If you have a take off performance chart on the airplane you fly, what kind of take-off distances are you seeing say for example at 85 degrees and a density altitude of 3500 feet as a comparison? The A model needs about 1800 feet no wind at gross as we saw before. It would be interesting to compare ground runs.

 

A great suggestion, a terrific flying airplane.
The T-34, which I have flown several times, is a great little airplane. They also are currently an airframe AD nightmare. In addition to the ones (especially the spar re-work) already, the word is the FAA has another major airframe AD in the works, or could even ground the fleet. I do not think it is Beech's errors, rather that the fleet has been mistreated by many owners. So, the T-34 is currently a maintenence non-starter for me.
The T-28A, in over 50 years, has ONE airframe AD for a trunion inspection.
It's built like a tank.

 

Well, I am flying the guy up from Miami to do a PPI. He is one of the best in the country, and will be doing the inspection after Thanksgiving. Here is an excerpt from the email with the breakdown of the ppi costs:

" Airfare (Southwest) $138.80 roundtrip
Hotel (Ramada Inn) $ 67.80 one night
Rental Car (Alamo) $130.72 11/26 returning on 11/27 @JAX
$337.32

Travel expenses must be paid in advance and per diem rate ($600/day) paid upon completion of inspection. A detailed written report including photos of any maintenance issues found will be provided to you"

Well, it's a bit expensive, but it IS better to bring someone in from out-of-town. Actually, except for the travel, it is much like a Ferrari ppi.

I checked with the current owner and he verifies that the insurance quotes I have been getting are about right with the cost and 5 hours dual. I've a new medical and will schedule a cmplx BFR prior to pick-up. My last bfr was in a T-6, so will have to get used to nosedraggers again. Have a tenetive hangar deal set for December, as it looks like pick-up and check-out will be the first week in December if the ppi goes well

I re-asked him what to flight plan and he said 180 kts at 8K or 10K at about a 38 gph fuel burn. I also inquired about take-off distances. He said his was quite a bit lighter and he routinely worked off of 3000 ft strips in 100 degree wx no problem.

 

Thanks Dana -

I did get the actual weights of the plane and it is substantially lighter than a stock T-28A.
N8089H weighs in at 5742 pounds with a long range fuel gross of 6870 while the stock aircraft grosses at 7400 - 7500 pounds, so about 600 pounds lighter. That neatly corresponds to the claimed 600 pounds shed during the removal of the old avionics and such. So that reduces the pounds per hp to 8.58 from 9.37. (To compare, a T-6 is 9.16 pounds per hp).
This is good.

 

For those of you interested in the details of this to get a plane for yourself, I think now is the time in the off-season.
The loan came in at 7% for 20 years at Bank of America.
PPI will be done Monday-Tuesday
The hangar hunt was problematic here in San Antonio - one problem being the height of the plane listed at 12' 8" and the tallest hanger that was available was 12'6". Well, the previous owner actually measured and it came out to 12' even, so we are looking at a 48' hangar that is 12'6" tall. There are 42 foot hangars that would fit the 40 wingspan, but right now I think I want a little room. It will be at Boerne Stage (5C1), although I may move to Stinson if a hangar opens up there.

I am setting up a 'round robin' landing training route that takes me to several local fields to practice pattern work and landings, with full roll-outs at each landing and taxi backs (good to run checklists for a new guy).

Everyone's invited for a ride if you're here in San Antonio once I get good in this thing.

best

rt

 

We'll know Monday-Tuesday after the ppi - here's hoping!!
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Will post the full results next week, but overall looks good. Need to replace some aileron trim tab forks. Engine seemed to be in good shape. He made the comment that the fuselage was exceptionally low time and 'un-bent' at 2800tt, which he describes a s a practically new airplane.

Right now plan is to pick up plane next week. Here we go!