exM20K Posted October 12, 2021 Report Posted October 12, 2021 Just back from the 49th Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Great time and an amazing display of grass roots aviation. The precision with which the competition pilots fly these aircraft is astounding. Being among tens of thousands of smiling people during a mass assentation of 500 balloons is memorable to say the least. Mooney content: Interesting comparison of travel modes / efficiency. Chicago -> ABQ -> Chicago is approx 180 gallons and 10 hours. We drove a 40' motorhome instead, and the round trip stats for comparison: 260 gallons and 43.5 hours. Fuel cost is approximately the same, and the Mooney does the trip in 1/4 the time with maybe a little less useful load. Apples and oranges, of course, but interesting that it takes a similar dollar amount of fuel to move a 3200# aircraft that distance as a 35,000# RV at a quarter the speed. -dan 1 1 Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted October 12, 2021 Report Posted October 12, 2021 The last time I went to the Balloon Fiesta The wind was blowing so hard, the balloons would take off and then disappear over the horizon to the south. Quote
201Mooniac Posted October 12, 2021 Report Posted October 12, 2021 3 hours ago, exM20K said: Mooney content: Interesting comparison of travel modes / efficiency. Chicago -> ABQ -> Chicago is approx 180 gallons and 10 hours. 180 gallons and 10 hours? I didn't think any Mooney burned 18 gph at cruise. Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted October 12, 2021 Report Posted October 12, 2021 1 hour ago, 201Mooniac said: 180 gallons and 10 hours? I didn't think any Mooney burned 18 gph at cruise. I’ve flown rockets that would burn all of that. Quote
PT20J Posted October 12, 2021 Report Posted October 12, 2021 4 hours ago, exM20K said: interesting that it takes a similar dollar amount of fuel to move a 3200# aircraft that distance as a 35,000# RV at a quarter the speed. This is why we still have freight trains. 1 1 Quote
exM20K Posted October 12, 2021 Author Report Posted October 12, 2021 1 hour ago, 201Mooniac said: 180 gallons and 10 hours? I didn't think any Mooney burned 18 gph at cruise. That's a pretty reliable block fuel flow for the TN running LOP after a climb to mid-high teens. Quote
exM20K Posted October 12, 2021 Author Report Posted October 12, 2021 4 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said: The last time I went to the Balloon Fiesta The wind was blowing so hard, the balloons would take off and then disappear over the horizon to the south. Yah, best bet is to come for as many days as possible to maximize the likelihood of seeing the balloons fly. The show boss has some tough calls to make often. We left Saturday mid day as it was obvious that Sunday would be good for kite flying only. 1 Quote
carusoam Posted October 13, 2021 Report Posted October 13, 2021 Great details Dan! Thanks for sharing them… got a pic? Best regards, -a- Quote
thinwing Posted October 13, 2021 Report Posted October 13, 2021 Here is a pic of my balloon not at Fiesta though...burns about 20 gal propane per hour out of its 28 million btu heaters.Useful load about 1400 lbs with full fuel 1 1 Quote
exM20K Posted October 13, 2021 Author Report Posted October 13, 2021 18 hours ago, carusoam said: Great details Dan! Thanks for sharing them… got a pic? Best regards, -a- Why yes, yes i do... Wife took this and many others. 1 Quote
carusoam Posted October 13, 2021 Report Posted October 13, 2021 On 10/12/2021 at 6:04 PM, 201Mooniac said: 180 gallons and 10 hours? I didn't think any Mooney burned 18 gph at cruise. Think about this for a sec…. A four cylinder Mooney, near sea level, at WOT/2700 rpm… is burning near 18gph… 100% bhp, with no time limit The NA IO550 often burns 29gph under the same conditions… 100% bhp, with no time limit… Now add a pair of TNs so you can safely operate the Acclaim’s engine at high power and high altitudes… 18gph is kind of a gentle cruise compared to what the Acclaim is capable of… 70% bhp… The challenges to operating at high power at high altitudes are controlling temps… TIT and CHT don’t always want to behave… lots of experience helps… PP thoughts only… not an IO550 expert… best regards, -a- Quote
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