305 Rocket Lean of Peak opinions

[Houman]

Hi, I'm looking for some real life experience from 305 Rocket owners/pilots...

Before getting the pleasure of actually flying my recently purchased M20K 305 Rocket on an actual long range trip, I'm reading a lot about the Lean of Peak operations and how it can keep the engine cooler, use less avgas and not lose too much of speed.

Talking to the current owner of the aircraft ( I bought 50% in a partnership with him ), he tells me that the 305 Rocket engine will not run Lean of Peak, since it heats up too much, he is an ex airline pilot, so there is a world of difference in experience between him and my 120h hours of flying on my PPL and I greatly respect his airmanship knowledge.

Btw, the particular Rocket has GAMI injectors and a JPI EDM 7000.

Thanks for your opinions and experience running this engine either LOP or ROP.

[RocketAviator]

Not so I have a 305 Rocket and operate it LOP, was not easy getting everything correct like timing, plugs, injectors but when I finally did it is the best way I have found to keep cylinder head temp cool at higher power. My limitation is always the TIT. I run as high as 35MP @ 2350 @ 15.9 GPH at 350ish depending on OAT @ 205 TAS @ Alt.

I cruse down low at 32MP @ 32 @ 14 or slightly less at 175ish TAS

Never have gotten close to published Rocket speeds at book settings.

Good luck

[RocketAviator]

Sorry 32MP @ 23 @ 14GPH or less, CHT is always well below 350 at these settings.

[Bob - S50]

....he is an ex airline pilot, so there is a world of difference in experience between him and my 120h hours of flying on my PPL and I greatly respect his airmanship knowledge.

Don't put too much stock in that.  I'm an airline pilot too and have 18,000+ hours, but I only had 50 hours in piston aircraft until we bought our Mooney.  I read everything I could find on how to operate a piston.  Until I did, I would have been about the last person you would want to ask about how to fly a Mooney.  Read all you can and ask for multiple opinions.  Don't be afraid to disagree with your partner if you have good reason.

 

He may know lots about how to fly IFR, talking to ATC the entire time, and how to program an FMC to get him from point A to point B, but he may or may not have much experience flying a piston aircraft into uncontrolled airports.  He may or may not have much 'hands on' time.  As we sometimes say in the airlines, "I can't fly any more, but I can type a 1000 words per minute."

 

Bob

[aaronk25]

As said all the wear and tear parts need to be in great shape but it will run LOP just fine.

Also it's ok to run continuous up to 1650 full time.

If you can save 4gph of fuel that's $20-26 per hour and in 1,000 hours you saved 20-26,000 in fuel. The exhaust system can be rebuilt for $1500-2000 according to rocket engineering. I think it's debatable wether or not running LOP will shorten the exhaust life by any measurable margin.

I think the airline pilot didn't do his research, but unfortunately made a incorrect statement as if it were fact.

[Houman]

Well, the engine has a bit more than 100 Hrs since Factory remanufactured, so it's basically almost brand new, same for props and Gami injectors...

 

I guess once I'm used to it, I will try a few things with a good CFI or someone with a bit more time on this kind of engine than me...