Sat Apr 11, 2020 10:32 pm
Well, Ive got 10 yrs flying my 185 behind the 401. For me the most important part of the package is when I need a short takeoff. When I throw the whip to her and want giddy up, that’s what I’m looking for. Not some figures for the best performance, at cruise, at xxx altitude, at xxx outside air temp ,at xxxx. That’s diddley squat. The prevail winds blow all that information into the toilet.
However, the trees at the end of the 1000 ft strip I’m at call for my immediate attention. I,m near gross weight, wind is good, temps cool, surface is good, All buttons forward. Ok Lite it up!
I want thrust out the wazoo. Dial prop back a bit to max thrust.
Right then, cruise performance is not even in my thought process.
I fly a fair amount of cross country, But at cruise altitude I have a lot of options that I can adjust: lean and economical, or fast and furious. All at my luxury and current needs. But when I’m looking at the fixed length of runway and obstacle clearances, I don’t have any luxury choices. It is what it is. I want thrust. Dependable performance.
The 401 has been my proven performer in this regard.
Yes it’s front end heavy. Yes, it’s an amazing wind stop unfeathered. Yes, you have to pull it back sometimes to get peak thrust for the rpm. But when the whip is snapped it does jump and trot. She’s put smile on my face more than once.