Comanche : is this the ultimate test ?

[regis9 4,043]

Normally when flying GA in cruise I’ll just run the maximum RPM and manifold pressure settings without much thought.  

Yesterday I was flying north out of Half Moon Bay and even at 5000 feet the air temperature was still 28c.  I set my cruise power at 24”/2400 and noticed that the CHT on #5 and #6 were over the red line as per the engine monitoring gauge.  I assume this was due to the high ambient temperature.  I experimented with various manifold pressure/TPM settings until the CHT’s got back down below redline.  

A very cool experience and just goes to show how alive this aircraft is and the attention it requires!

[Alvega 2,126]

13 minutes ago, regis9 said:

Normally when flying GA in cruise I’ll just run the maximum RPM and manifold pressure settings without much thought.  

Yesterday I was flying north out of Half Moon Bay and even at 5000 feet the air temperature was still 28c.  I set my cruise power at 24”/2400 and noticed that the CHT on #5 and #6 were over the red line as per the engine monitoring gauge.  I assume this was due to the high ambient temperature.  I experimented with various manifold pressure/TPM settings until the CHT’s got back down below redline.  

A very cool experience and just goes to show how alive this aircraft is and the attention it requires!

You can also upgrade the plane with the Slipper Fairing mod (in the tablet) and it will help the engine run cooler when flying in hot weather and decrease airframe drag.

[Bobsk8 12,915]

33 minutes ago, regis9 said:

Normally when flying GA in cruise I’ll just run the maximum RPM and manifold pressure settings without much thought.  

Yesterday I was flying north out of Half Moon Bay and even at 5000 feet the air temperature was still 28c.  I set my cruise power at 24”/2400 and noticed that the CHT on #5 and #6 were over the red line as per the engine monitoring gauge.  I assume this was due to the high ambient temperature.  I experimented with various manifold pressure/TPM settings until the CHT’s got back down below redline.  

A very cool experience and just goes to show how alive this aircraft is and the attention it requires!

Mixture too lean can also cause this. 

[Cognita 1,119]

Well, for me, the Comanche has pretty much ruined any other GA aircraft in the sim now. After 11 flights and 13.2 hours I just can't see myself launching any of the other aircraft I have bought -- or buying more that are less than this quality. 

[sniper31 651]

1 hour ago, Cognita said:

Well, for me, the Comanche has pretty much ruined any other GA aircraft in the sim now. After 11 flights and 13.2 hours I just can't see myself launching any of the other aircraft I have bought -- or buying more that are less than this quality. 

Well, that is the magic of Accusim at work. It has been like that for me since I flew my first Accusim aircraft back in FSX. Once that genie is out of the bottle, hard to put it back in. 🙂 

[Dominique_K 10,152]

13 hours ago, regis9 said:

 

A very cool experience and just goes to show how alive this aircraft is and the attention it requires!

This is exactly why I love Accusim aircraft. You have to respect your aircraft if you want her to respect you. 

One thing that I found rather spectacular is the sound cue given by a cylinder going rough. You check the analyser because you heard it first.

Edited July 23, 2023 by Dominique_K

[ThrottleUp 630]

17 hours ago, Bobsk8 said:

I am on the 7th leg of a 20 leg VA tour all over the Philippine Islands. So far, pretty smooth sailing, even over the mountains, not too much turbulence. 

 

Did you land at RPVI (Iloilo) thats my local airport!

[Bobsk8 12,915]

2 hours ago, ThrottleUp said:

Did you land at RPVI (Iloilo) thats my local airport!

Yes I did, late yesterday. Nice airport. Flew from RPVM... This morning first flight is RPVI to RPVJ. 

Edited July 23, 2023 by Bobsk8

[Dermot McClusky 526]

Yesterday flew to Idaho Falls midday, very bumpy ride on a hot, sunny day.

Flew out of Idaho Falls last night around 9pm, much smoother ride with a few minor bumps when I crossed over some low mountainous terrain. 

Really impressed with the way this thing flies. What a joy!

[Fielder 3,771]

On 7/22/2023 at 12:36 PM, Alvega said:

You can also upgrade the plane with the Slipper Fairing mod (in the tablet) and it will help the engine run cooler when flying in hot weather and decrease airframe drag.

A good place to test hot weather performance is Phoenix, Arizona. But it is predicted to go down to 110 degrees tomorrow (Monday, July 31). And it never got up to 120 all month. 

Source: AccuWeather.

Edited July 31, 2023 by Fielder

[Alpine Scenery 1,609]

On 7/22/2023 at 3:01 PM, Dermot McClusky said:

I just flew Logan, UT to Idaho Falls, ID and had a very bumpy flight. As I descended into my final approach things definitely smoothed out quite a bit.

I guess no one has done Idaho Falls yet (freeware or payware). MSFS Scenery Builders did Pocatello (it's not too bad actually), and there is some good freeware in the general area like u78 (Soda Springs) is one of the better ones. I also did a few in the area, like u10 American Falls, but since I was doing multiple airports, mine are just kind of "close renditions" rather than exact realistic copies. Anyhow, I enjoy flying the area, hopefully someone will do Idaho Falls eventually.

I am trying out the Commanche shortly, but I'm afraid it might be too slow for my spread out flying to use as a regular.

 

Edited July 31, 2023 by Alpine Scenery

[Glenn Fitzpatrick 3,799]

2 hours ago, Alpine Scenery said:

 

I am trying out the Commanche shortly, but I'm afraid it might be too slow for my spread out flying to use as a regular.

 

It is 250 HP and not actually all that slow.  It is not a Warrior or 172 bumbling along at 110 - 120 knots .

Max cruise 165 knots;

75% power: 157 knots;

65% power: 154  knots .

( Max Range is 1275 miles at 45% power 142 knots)

Service ceiling is 20,000 feet.

 

 

Edited July 31, 2023 by Glenn Fitzpatrick

[Dillon 2,201]

On 7/22/2023 at 1:06 PM, Dermot McClusky said:

Thanks. I've kind of settled for the middle ground, as well, but I'm never quite sure what the "right" setting should be.

'Realistic' is what we deal with in the real world. Anything less is not realistic.

Edited July 31, 2023 by Dillon

[Dermot McClusky 526]

8 hours ago, Dillon said:

'Realistic' is what we deal with in the real world. Anything less is not realistic.

That's good to know. I've been flying on realistic the vast majority of the time and must say it's really, really bumpy at times (I've been doing a lot of mountain flying in the western US). I've been reading a lot of pilot forums and the Comanche appears to be a really rough ride in real life (some IRL pilots seem to be pretty put off by how rough it is to fly). I appreciate the input!

[Dermot McClusky 526]

11 hours ago, Alpine Scenery said:

I guess no one has done Idaho Falls yet (freeware or payware). MSFS Scenery Builders did Pocatello (it's not too bad actually), and there is some good freeware in the general area like u78 (Soda Springs) is one of the better ones. I also did a few in the area, like u10 American Falls, but since I was doing multiple airports, mine are just kind of "close renditions" rather than exact realistic copies.

I need to check these out. I liked your fictional Mantua airport (the approach was pretty awesome). I still haven't bought the new KSLC, but I'm sure I will eventually. It looks fantastic.