islandmonkey
Well Known Member
I am looking for areas where I can save weight and so far, I can see that by careful choice of products and not over equipping the plane, I can do a lot to build in lightness.
I have given serious thought to this over the last six months about what I want to put into my RV-3 or more importantly what to leave out and I am actively looking at all components (engine, prop, avionics etc) and investigating the lightest products available. The reason for this is to end up with an empty weight that is as low as possible, because, here in Europe the RV-3B is limited to a max weight of 1175lbs. Initially, I had thought about an injected engine with a VP prop but this notion has faded as quickly as the sun sets in the tropics. Just to say that I will not be straying into the area of changing any part of the structural flight load bearing components of the airframe.
So, doing the sums:
My weight 200
Fuel 180
Baggage 50
Total 430
Max Weight 1175
Max Load 430
Empty Weight 745
Looking at Randy Levold?s RV-3 Registry, the lightest 3B comes in at 738lbs. This aircraft is fitted with a Lycoming O235. The next lightest weighs in at 755lbs and has a Lycoming O320 installed. Okay, so if I want an O320, then I am going to have to take a subscription to Weight Watchers. However there are areas of the build that I have not considered yet such as moulded part weights (cowling, fairings, canopy), brakes and wheels, so I would be grateful for any comments and suggestions in this area.
So far, it looks as if I may go with a Lycoming O320 fitted with a lightweight starter, alternator and Pmags. A Catto propeller. Dynon D180. Microair M760 radio. Trig TT21 transponder. Steam ASI and Altimeter because that is what?s required. A Garmin 496. An Odyssey battery.
Paint is another area that needs looking at and the paint job will be the lightest available.
So any comments and suggestion would be really helpful.
I have given serious thought to this over the last six months about what I want to put into my RV-3 or more importantly what to leave out and I am actively looking at all components (engine, prop, avionics etc) and investigating the lightest products available. The reason for this is to end up with an empty weight that is as low as possible, because, here in Europe the RV-3B is limited to a max weight of 1175lbs. Initially, I had thought about an injected engine with a VP prop but this notion has faded as quickly as the sun sets in the tropics. Just to say that I will not be straying into the area of changing any part of the structural flight load bearing components of the airframe.
So, doing the sums:
My weight 200
Fuel 180
Baggage 50
Total 430
Max Weight 1175
Max Load 430
Empty Weight 745
Looking at Randy Levold?s RV-3 Registry, the lightest 3B comes in at 738lbs. This aircraft is fitted with a Lycoming O235. The next lightest weighs in at 755lbs and has a Lycoming O320 installed. Okay, so if I want an O320, then I am going to have to take a subscription to Weight Watchers. However there are areas of the build that I have not considered yet such as moulded part weights (cowling, fairings, canopy), brakes and wheels, so I would be grateful for any comments and suggestions in this area.
So far, it looks as if I may go with a Lycoming O320 fitted with a lightweight starter, alternator and Pmags. A Catto propeller. Dynon D180. Microair M760 radio. Trig TT21 transponder. Steam ASI and Altimeter because that is what?s required. A Garmin 496. An Odyssey battery.
Paint is another area that needs looking at and the paint job will be the lightest available.
So any comments and suggestion would be really helpful.