G'day from OZ Rebecca !
We asked exactly the same question a few years back in regards to OUR Rebel !
Basically, we found that many aircraft on floats were registered around 1,900lbs ..... we found a few registered at 2,000 and 2,200lbs respectively ................. and we were told about one "crazy" - that had registered his at around 3,000 lbs - because under the strict interpretation of some local rule, a 150 square foot winged aircraft with separate flaps and ailerons could be registered at this ridiculous weight
(the only cautionary advice we got from other builders , was that the undercarriage was the "weak point" when considering operating at higher weights - so we took this into account )
Our Rebel is now officially registered at 2,035lbs - ( 925kgs)
YES - I test flew it at this weight and the stall speeds and characteristics DO alter ... (the stall goes up to around 55 knots - to be "safe" .... and the handling is decidedly "mushier" at the bottom end of the flight envelope )
I registered our aircraft at this higher weight as I figured "once in a blue moon" I would actually get it up to this weight on a big cross country trip with a large passenger , lots of gear , and 230 litres of fuel ( ours has extended fuel tanks ) .... and in reality this is only going to happen once or twice in its lifetime !
MOST of the time we are flying around two up, bugger all luggage and 160 or so litres of fuel ... so we are well under its "normal" MTOW - let alone a customized level of MTOW at 2035 lbs !
(but it's really nice to have the confidence, that should we be ramp checked buy an "official from the government" - we can merrily point to our registration plaque & paperwork and say UP YOURS to the inspector !
(under OUR Experimental category laws .... we nominate that we are the manufacturer of the aircraft and as such we can set whatever maximum take off weight we deem suitable - for the given conditions
Hope this all helps !!!
& as Wayne says - Blue Skies & Tailwinds to all
Rick & Wendy Harper
541R
PS : WHERE abouts are you situated Rebecca ? ... (we are in Sydney , Australia ... or "OZ" for short
----- Original Message -----
From: Rebecca Brownell
To:
rebel-builders@dcsol.com
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 10:20 AM
Subject: [rebel-builders] max gross weight
i'm wanting to build a rebel on amphibs,lyc0-320.Is my max gross
weight restricted to 1650lbs or are others flying safely with a
higher gross.anyones comments on usefull load with this configuration
would be helpfull for me to make my decision on the amphib
choice.thanks in advance.
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