Hi Guys (& Gals)

How low can you go with wing loading and not be beatened to death in mid day thermal turbulence?

The lightest plane I have much time in is a Tomahawk (one of the worst grass strip/back country planes because of the T-tail). It has 13.4lbs/ sqr ft. I don't remember being beatened to death in the Tomahawk.

But what does it feel like with 10-11lbs/ sqr ft wing loading during mid day thermals?

I would like to get a Luscombe. But a co-worker of mine had one many years ago said I wouldn't like the ride in the thermals.

I fly my Musketeer almost every day to work and looking for something a little cheaper on the gas.

TIA,

Todd Giencke

My plane has only 8#/ft^2 wing loading, and it bumps around plenty. I prefer to fly when it isn't all thermally, but don't avoid it if I've got somewhere to go. The worst of it is on short final. Then I'll find my pitch and roll going +/- 20 degrees. Fortunately, when I get into ground effect, this all seems to smooth out.

The only other planes I've flown are Cessna 152 and 172. It seemed like they bounced up and down about like my present plane, but did not do the roll and pitch.

tom