170 kts on 100 hp !!!!!!!

[n101cs]

I just moved down to Florida after some time CFIIing in Columbus, Ohio. Well, imagine that, my last lesson there was given in a Tromahawk.... and I just got back from a 170 kts TAS straight and level flight on just 100hp! That just seemed unreal! Got the free ride through an old CFI friend of mine working for the company making those low powered bullets. Check out the specs on their web site www.aircraftkit.com , and let me know if you've ever seen something like it (I flew the sportster)....

On a totally different issue, I always wondered what was behind the fact that the PIC (or captain) always seats in the left seat?

PBYs rules!

 

[n101cs]

No kidding... I have to admit that the last few time I flew without a student... it was from the right seat... can't trust those visual illusions !!!

But I know there's a story behind the whole thing of why all the cockpits are set up the way they are, ie for the airplane to be flown from the left seat.

 

[flywithastick]

.... and I just got back from a 170 kts TAS straight and level flight on just 100hp! That just seemed unreal!

Seems that way to me as well. I don't believe even the LongEZ's are that efficient.

 

[n101cs]

Ok now that leads to a new question... and yes I have only flown GA planes so far.... What's a tiller?

 

[SkyWestCRJPilot]

It's the "steering wheel" for the nosewheel.

 

[spitfire1940]

I'm doing the same thing in a Scottish Aviation Bulldog--always looking over at the student's instruments, then remembering I have my own, then fixating on something in between ... it's pretty weird. Better to cover all that crap up and look outside...

The other funny thing ... at least for me when getting ready for my CFI was using my left hand on the throttle. I did some really spastic throttle changes, usually while flaring, while I was adjusting to the right seat.

 

[n101cs]

Yeah, and don't you hate that PTT on the left side of the yoke too?

Back to the issue about the PIC seating on the left in the cockpit. I swear I heard something about it coming from the time when the fastest way to travel was still by riding horses. Well, the horse was mainly directed with the left hand, as the right one had to be readily available to draw the gun... Yoke in the left hand... throttle in the right one... could that make sense... I don't know... but I'm sure there's a lot more to it.

Anybody with some extra knowledge out there?


And yes, i'll have a good dozen of those lollypops