I fly with the Air Force club here at Travis AFB. They have a T-41C which is basically a 172 with a 210HP Cont on it. I went out yesterday to beat up the pattern for an hour and the density altitude was 1000 feet below SL. I started out doing basic pattern work but had to see what she would do at least once. I did a short field takeoff and held it at Vx. I was at TPA (900AGL) before I got to the end of our 2000 ft strip. I saw 2000fpm+ on the VVI and was basically IFR because I couldn't see anything but sky over the cowl. It's amazing how much nicer an airplane handles when the conditions are like that. Anyways that was my flying story of the day.

The T-41 is a heck of an airplane, even at high density altitudes. I've flown em at 6,000 feet msl on a 85 degree day, and they're still a blaster.

Fun airplane.

MTV

Avid,

I instruct at the Peterson AFB FTC and we have two T-41Bs and a handful of Charlies. We fly them in and out of Leadville year round with no problems at all. Awesome aircraft! If you're ever in Colorado Springs give me a heads up and maybe we can arrange a mountain flight for you.

Bill Murrish

That IO 360 works real good in a M4 too with the same prop as the T 41... constant speed that is....

Avid,

You're very right about the T41's other than the A model. I own a B model which is the constant speed prop version and it is a real performer. I think it will get off the ground quicker than most C-180's. My empty weight is about 1500 pounds. When loaded light it'll blast into the air in 300 feet at a density altitude of 3000' or so. Vx is 60 mph and that creates a steep climb angle.

Wih GAMI injectors and running lean-of-peak it burns about 9 gph at 120+ knots too.

The A model is a Continental O-300 145 hp version.

BTW the density altitude here at home at the present hour is -5300 feet. Too cold to try out airplane performance though