Build without folding wing? And a few other questions.

[xtricity]

Lama

[xtricity]

Sidn

[xtricity]

Anto

[xtricity]

Shin

[xtricity]

Piet

[Sacpilot]

First, Paul, Dan, Rachel, this is why I want to build a Panther. Your communication has been top notch. Second, holy cow. So if I only gain a couple of miles an hour with the O-320, a heavier engine, and the sport wing, I can see why the LSA wing is so popular. Any 100-115 or UL (which I like except for cost) seems like it will get amazing performance on the LSA wing, and if you don't care about LSA then you don't need to worry about top speed cert etc unless reselling as lsa.

One last one. Gonna order the plans and manual tonight to review while I have a week off. I tried to find a pneumatic cherry riveter. My riveter for avex was $100 from Spruce bc I needed one that took domed heads Zenith makes. Am I looking at the wrong ones? They are $800 for Cherry pneumatic? That has to be wrong.

[psalter]

The Panther prototype with a 3.0L Corvair tops out around 172 MPH, and cruises a bit over 160mph. That cruise speed was without agressive leaning produced about 6GPH. I know from some of the data on the GRT display, that some rate of climbs have been close to 2000fpm. I don't remember what the maximum was.

There are several UL engine sizes out there, the smallest is the UL 260 at 107 HP at 3300 RPM, around 100 HP at 2800 RPM. The next size is the UL350 is about 118hp at 3300 RPM and around 110 HP at 2800. There are also some 6cylinder ULs that are light, but can get up to 200hp. Like many of the smaller/lighter engines (Jabiru and Corvair), they need a smaller prop to top out the RPM, and rarely do you get static RPM much above 2800 RPM.

So, basically, you can cruise around 160 mph on just about any engine rated at 100hp or above. With a maximum 27 gal of fuel on board and 6GPH you would have around 4 hours and about 30 minute reserve. Larger, thirstier engines less time.

Dan can tell you what he calculated for the O-320 sport, but if memory serves approximately 10-15mph faster than the Corvair LSA.

[Sacpilot]

Thank you for the detailed replies. Sounds like
I should build the fundamentals in so it could be resold with option, just not use them and not use quick release fittings.

So, it seems like:

1. Cowl will be no problem with a multitude of engines. Very nice!
2. Exhaust is no problem through Vetterman, etc. I was actually going to use an Aeronca/taylormade o-200 exhaust that comes into a single pipe on either side for $450 from Spruce on my Zenith 750 bc cowl is so tight. Ended up just getting 4 straight stainless pipes and welding stainless flanges and running them straight out of holes in cowl.

3. Most people seem to agree that adding power will only get you so far. This is why I wanted to stay with the smallest engine I can for weight, cost, etc on the fastest wing. So, I understand correctly that an o-235, o-200, UL would produce the fastest plane with the lsa wing? I want the 160-200 mph envelope, and I don't really care about lsa as a commercial instrument pilot. I also want to maximize useful load bc I am 6'3, 240 lbs with a 36" inseam.

Bottom line, if I don't want to spend $30k on engine, but really like and feel comfortable with a mid-time aviation engine, what is the wing/engine combo without tri gear that gets me 160mph plus? A mid time o-320? What speeds would I get out of an o-235 with either wing? And, if you don't want to certify lsa, can either wing be built to the higher gross or does lsa wing have lower loading requirements likely.

Just trying to get the most speed, with reasonable useful Load for person and 2-3 hours of fuel, and maybe some
Night VFR lighting for those great times when you just don't want to come home at sunset.

Tell me if I'm wrong, but that seems like o-320/UL and sport wing, or any other engine and lsa wing. If it's the latter, what is realistic speeds you are seeing on the Corvair/LSA wing as this is pretty darn close to a o-200 or o-235....I want gentleman aerobatics, pretty decent cross country speeds. Please report rough cruise speeds and climb with corvair Panther.

I was mildly weary after Zenith 750 for a couple of weeks, but after following the Panther since inception, I am now super pumped again now that I have a buyer. This plane is exciting! And it is one of the few with blind rivets, and Cherry at that. So much better than Avex. That is a huge plus!!!

[rlweseman]

i agree - engine posts belong over in engines. i will see if i can figure out how to move them over there.

[PlaneDan]

Great posts. I would like to see more on the UL Power as I am considering it. I would also like to see the Engine posts in the Engine category/topic.

Thanks for the thoroughness of this information.