SteveB

I have 2,000+ hours in my Rocket over the last 21 years. I use it several times a week to commute between offices in the SF area over a distance of around 55 miles. The flights are all at 4500 and 5500 ft. and are affected by gusty winds over the Oakland Hills and the MAyacama Mountains. Thus, I am encouraged to keep the speed down and putter along. In the cruise portion of my flights I use 27MP and 2200RPM. I obtain 154kph indicated. I lean to 75deg. rich or around 17gph. I could go faster but the bumps would be more emphatic and I would be close to or in the yellow arc. I keep it leaned out on descent and landing (unless there are thoughts of a possible go-around) and religiously pull the power back in 2" increments per minute. The result of this operating procedure is that engine #1 went to 2400 hours and the mechanic on the last oil change noted from the oil analysis the engine looked like a teenager. It was still using a qt. every 10 hours. This procedure is comfortable for me but I would appreciate any input - but forget the "you should fly a 201" comments. I like the Rocket. It is a wonderful plane. The extra power is always there when one needs it. It is a good instrument platform allowing me to do the ILS at anything between 100kt and 150kt to fit in with the commercial traffic at Oakland every morning. Pilots are commonly lusting over the next plane and I have felt guilty for not joining them but I have considered "moving up" and, as long as I am not compelled by ice protection or pressurization, there is no piston single to move up to and I have yet to convince my wife of the wisdom of a TBM. Steve