Looking for advice on power problems

[nugs314]

Was your CG different that normal? Forward CG will cost 5-7 knots. Mid to aft CG gives book performance. Most Mooneys are flown at forward CG unless pilots ensure there is enough aft baggage weight to offset pilots and fuel. It can take as much as 80 pounds in the baggage to offset full fuel and two pilots with no passengers.

Great info Philiplane!

[philiplane]

When I do Mooney-specific checkouts for new Mooney pilots, I emphasize CG calculations as a speed mod. I rarely find anyone who gives CG a thought with regards to performance. People worry about being too far aft, which is good, but knowing the effect CG has on overall performance is very important.

 

Those checkouts include flying with ballast in the baggage or back seats as needed to simulate different loadings. Pilot training is all too often done with no regard to the actual conditions the pilot will encounter with four people, bags, or other combinations that occur.  

[FloridaMan]

When I do Mooney-specific checkouts for new Mooney pilots, I emphasize CG calculations as a speed mod. I rarely find anyone who gives CG a thought with regards to performance. People worry about being too far aft, which is good, but knowing the effect CG has on overall performance is very important.

 

Those checkouts include flying with ballast in the baggage or back seats as needed to simulate different loadings. Pilot training is all too often done with no regard to the actual conditions the pilot will encounter with four people, bags, or other combinations that occur.  

 

Not to derail the thread, but I think that the part I put in bold is a major contributing factor in base-final stall/spin accidents.