Another Elite flying

[Walter Klatt]

One of the local Elite builders here, Dennis Finley, just got his plane
flying a couple of weeks ago. Some of you on the list have met him and seen
his project, so wanted to let the group know that it is up and flying. It is
an Elite on the MAM 1800 amphibs with a regular 180 hp 360 Lycoming.



He came out to the lake with it last weekend, and I got to time his take-off
on the water. He had 2/3 fuel with 2 hefty people and almost no wind. He got
off in 15 seconds, and he said he didn't hit the sweet spot right away. I
was definitely impressed. As everyone knows, the Elite weighs at least 100
pounds more than a Rebel empty, yet this one performed extremely well. His
climb with that same load is just over 1000 fpm. He is using the 76 X 56
Sensenich prop. And it was pretty warm out, too, about 30 C (high 80s F).



I would say his performance is definitely better than my Rebel with the old
320, which I thought was pretty good, too. He has VGs and the new wider span
drooped MAM tips. I think that combination helps him get off the water a
little faster.



Anyway, he is real happy with the plane, and I'm looking forward to having
another local amphib to go flying with around here. It will be interesting
to see how close his performance is to my Rebel now with the new O-360.



Walter







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