Click here for Weight and Balance Calculator
Maintenance Officer: Randy Miller 314-435-9426 [email protected]
The aircraft is located at MillionAire KSUS in hangar B10. The flight line crew will pull out the aircraft and put it away for us. Please give them at least 30min notice prior to requesting the aircraft be removed from the hangar. When returning the aircraft just walk inside and let the attendant know you are ready to have the aircraft fueled to the tabs and be put away. There is oil in the hangar in the event the aircraft is low. Min oil level is 5, max is 8. The aircraft has leather seating so make sure you do not have anything sharp in your back pockets upon entry.
Starting the aircraft, we have found that in most cases the Aux Fuel pump needs to be on low until the engine warms up. Please do not over work the stater if you can not get the aircraft to start. Remember, 15sec on, 1min rest. If after three tries you might want to examine the POH because you are probably doing something wrong. The aircraft has an electric primer which has to be held in a certain amount of time depending on the current outside air temp. Refer to the POH for specific times. The engine management will ask upon startup if the fuel is topped off. Since we usually fill to the tabs that should be a Yes answer. If the pilot needs the aircraft fueled past the tabs that is considered the Aux tanks in the engine management and the pilot can enter the amount above the tabs or just full Aux tanks.
Lighting is to be used selectively depending on the time of day. Only the Strobes/Beacon are to be used during the day. They are on the same switch on the panel. If you turn on the panel lights during the day it will dim your gear indicator lights, all of them! The gear lights will appear to be out during the day with the panel lights on. This could lead to confusion and a dangerous situation when flying. Double check the lights are all off prior to exiting the aircraft and upon entering preflight. There is a switch to the far left labeled recognition lights, those are the forward facing landing lights in each wingtip. Navigation lights should not be used for daytime operations. They do not provide any anti-collision benefit as they are too dim to be seen from any distance by other pilots and causes unnecessary bulb wear and premature failure resulting in maintenance downtime, risk stranding the aircraft out of base, and of course the money required to replace them. Landing lights and recognition lights are encouraged in congested (airport area, crossing VOR’s, common sightseeing areas, Class B, C, and D) areas but extinguish them when not needed. On the lower pilot side panel there is a three way toggle switch for the LED strip lights attached to the glare shield. This is a three way switch labeled ON, OFF, and Backup. In the backup mode the lights work on a backup battery no matter the aircraft master switch position so double check you haven’t hit the switch upon entry/exit. Very useful in the event of an electrical failure though and preflight at night.
Flying the aircraft requires constant monitoring of the manifold pressures so the pilot does not over boost the engine. This is especially critical on takeoff. Typically holding the brakes and bringing it up to 35 manifold pressure and releasing the brakes is a good start. With the takeoff roll, the manifold pressure will rise slightly and this should keep you in the ballpark without over boosting. The pilot also must take caution when descending so the engine is not shock cooled. This requires proper planning when descending. Preferred cruise settings would be 65% power and 100 degrees rich of peak EGT at 29.6″ and 2300 RPM or 31.5″ and 2200 RPM. Good range, relatively quiet with good TAS and fuel burn. Upon landing try and keep taxing rpm between 800 and 1000 and clock your time at this rpm for at least 2-3 minutes to give the turbo time to cool off a bit. Any longer or higher rpms will just increase the temps. The turbo is the coolest right after landing so ground time will cause it to heat up again. Be aware of wind direction to help cooling and avoid sitting for long periods at low RPM’s.
In the hangar there are the standard STL Aviators gear for cleaning the plane upon return. Please make sure and use the appropriate cloth on the the airframe and microfiber for the windows. Be sure to wipe the airplane down upon return. A lot of time has been spent cleaning the aircraft and it is a plane to be proud of on the ramp. Always straighten and stow the seat belts and shoulder harnesses. Fasten the lap belts across the seats front and back as well as stow the shoulder harness in the clip and tidy up the plane, remove trash etc. In the event you are taking the plane on a trip, there is a full set of window shades in a long black bag to keep the aircraft interior cooler in the summer months. Again, we fuel the airplane to the tabs so make sure the folks at MillionAire are reminded of that when you request the aircraft be put away.
Weight and Balance Data
Basic Empty Weight 1995.2
Empty Weight CG 88.52
Useful Load 908.35