Cruise power settings

[NickG]

Another great day with my Ovation (310 STC)! Flew from KHND to KAPV for a very expensive breakfast with a buddy - I started playing around a bit with the cruise settings to see the best combo of speed and efficiency. My preferred setting at 8-10k is around 21.7 MP/2500 RPM/15.7GPH yields a cruise speed around 175kTAS or so. Today I tried some different combos to see some more economical alternatives. I obviously have the POH engine charts (for both the Ovation and Ovation 3) - real world is relatively close. What do you my fellow MS’ers use?

[PMcClure]

For cruise, it is almost always full throttle and RPM 2500 and LOP 20 degrees. This usually gives me 175-180 knots depending on weight and the day and usually 14-15 gph. I can run it hotter/richer and get 182knots and 15-16gph. The Ovations really like LOP. I can give up a few knots at 50 degrees LOP and get down to around 12 gph. This may give me 168-172knots. Have fun getting to know your plane!

 

[EarthboundMisfit]

Would love to see some engine page pics/data for your IO550. 

WOT and LOP for us in cruise.  Typically 175TAS at 12.5GPH.  Our settings in the pics.

Have also posted a reel/video of our leaning procedure on FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/reel/1433105633994967 

[NickG]

5 hours ago, EarthboundMisfit said:

Would love to see some engine page pics/data for your IO550. 

WOT and LOP for us in cruise.  Typically 175TAS at 12.5GPH.  Our settings in the pics.

Have also posted a reel/video of our leaning procedure on FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/reel/1433105633994967 

This is really helpful. I’ll post some engine page pics on my next outing.

[FlyingScot]

On 7/29/2024 at 11:26 AM, PMcClure said:

For cruise, it is almost always full throttle and RPM 2500 and LOP 20 degrees. This usually gives me 175-180 knots depending on weight and the day and usually 14-15 gph. I can run it hotter/richer and get 182knots and 15-16gph. The Ovations really like LOP. I can give up a few knots at 50 degrees LOP and get down to around 12 gph. This may give me 168-172knots. Have fun getting to know your plane!

 

Same here - usually fly WOT, 10-12K, 10-20 LOP, yielding around 176-180 kts, 13.5-14.5 gph dep on conditions. Flaming dragon mode is 16-17 gph = 180-185kts (usually reserve this for lower or stiff headwinds when I need the time). Mine loves LOP - with GAMIs I can even run it much leaner than this without issues.  

[NickG]

1 hour ago, FlyingScot said:

Same here - usually fly WOT, 10-12K, 10-20 LOP, yielding around 176-180 kts, 13.5-14.5 gph dep on conditions. Flaming dragon mode is 16-17 gph = 180-185kts (usually reserve this for lower or stiff headwinds when I need the time). Mine loves LOP - with GAMIs I can even run it much leaner than this without issues.  

what prop setting?

[FlyingScot]

16 hours ago, NickG said:

what prop setting?

2700 Takeoff 2550 in climb 2500 at altitude and 2400 at low altitude.

[NickG]

I can't believe the versatility of these planes. Cruised around today at a leisurely 160 KTAS or so at 65% power burning 12 GPH.

Can always go to my usual cruise of around 73-75% and go 174-178 KTAS on around 15 GPH .

Then there's "03 Mode" and get around 182 KTAS at 17 or so GPH.

 

[FJC]

On 8/4/2024 at 3:10 PM, NickG said:

I can't believe the versatility of these planes. Cruised around today at a leisurely 160 KTAS or so at 65% power burning 12 GPH.

Can always go to my usual cruise of around 73-75% and go 174-178 KTAS on around 15 GPH .

Then there's "03 Mode" and get around 182 KTAS at 17 or so GPH.

 

For me about 183 TAS at 14.1 at 9500. 
 

 

[NickG]

What are you running there? 50ROP? RPM?

[FJC]

LOP, 2500 RPM. Almost never run ROP.

[EarthboundMisfit]

On 8/15/2024 at 3:16 AM, FJC said:

LOP, 2500 RPM. Almost never run ROP.

@FJC Do you have an engine settings pic?  Aircon on yours?

[BlueSky247]

@FJC Those 275's are really growing on me. How long have you had them?

[FJC]

I'm going on about 2 years post installation. It was daunting to get them setup and dialed in but now, I really really like them. I have vertical tracking capability with autopilot flying ILS and RNAV approaches which to me is the bomb.

 

I'm still working on optimization of a few items (redundancy of mag for both 275's as an example which will give me heading if I have an electrical loss).

 

[FJC]

18 hours ago, EarthboundMisfit said:

@FJC Do you have an engine settings pic?  Aircon on yours?

I dont have engine parameters other than fuel flow (no temps but no issues at cruise). Yes, I do have air conditioning but almost never need it above 8,000.

[FlyingScot]

19 hours ago, BlueSky247 said:

@FJC Those 275's are really growing on me. How long have you had them?

Butting in...going on 3 years. Love them.

[BlueSky247]

3 minutes ago, FlyingScot said:

Butting in...going on 3 years. Love them.

Awesome! I spent a lot of time at Osh looking at those. Compared to the G5 I am used to, that display is just so much nicer. 

[FlyingScot]

Just now, BlueSky247 said:

Awesome! I spent a lot of time at Osh looking at those. Compared to the G5 I am used to, that display is just so much nicer. 

Paired with a 750/650 and a gfc-500 these are amazing in the soup.