231 at max gross?

[Edd]

I'm a new 231 owner ( about 25hrs in type, 500 hrs in a Beech Sierra). Taking a trip to Orlando this weekend and will be at max gross. How do these planes react to this? With my Sierra it was a non issue. Thanks for the info. This is a great plane! 

[kortopates]

Totally a non issue and I'll bet even better than your Sierra did! 

[peter]

Agreed, this is totally a non issue.

I took off in my 231 last week at max gross from a 650 MSL airport and a departure temp of +31C, and maintained a cruise climb of 500 fpm to 13000 with airspeeds around 110-115 kias in the climb. 

I held 40 inches MP and 2700 rpm throughout the climb, cowl flap open, which produced FF in the climb between 23-24 gph. CDT was about 20 deg below red line as I got higher, and everything else was squarely in the green.

[thinwing]

Peter...40 in to 13 k !!!! I didnt realized you 231 owners pushed them that hard!sinc kp couch

[peter]

Normally wouldn't hold 40" that long, but was departing east bound from the east side of of LA basin with 13k MEAs shortly after departure.  That, and my guage over reads by 1.5", so really only 38.5 ...

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

40"/2700RPM at takeoff is actually a great place to operate a 231. so long as your getting the 22-24 gph of fuel to the engine. your not saving anything or increasing engine longevity by pulling the power back to anything less but your giving up valuable climb performance at a phase in the flight when you need it most