I just ran across your forum and thought that you might be able to help answer a fuel question I have.
I've just purchased a 1967 Cherokee 140 and will be going over to pick it up next week from the other side of Australia. (I live on the east, plane is in the west). The trip will be about 1950nm's with the longest leg I've planned being 394nm with an estimate of 3:45hrs (nil wind).
So my question is "While this is within the stated range of what the 140 should achieve without using reserves, what sort of distances would you plan between stops?"
Just looking to get some real world ideas from regular fliers of these aircraft.
I'm not that familiar with Australia topography; however parts of west Texas probably resemble some of it, and I have visited Alice Springs. I have a 1968 Cherokee 180 and I plan my cross country legs at about 300 NM. Usually need a leg stretch and water closet about that time. I would suggest you make at least one stop..maybe half way across if there is a place to stop.
Yeah, good point, there are plenty of ALA's around as most of the route is over cattle stations etc, a stop half way between with a top up would make it a no brainer I guess.
Now, to find one where they sell fuel NOT by the drum ;-)
This should be a great trip. I've been to Sydney, Alice Springs, etc. but not west of there. Don't know about the typical weather you might experience, but you'll likely need about 6 flight legs, and finding the right airports is going to be the big challenge. It's true that "time" is the thing to measure. I have a 1967 Piper 140/160 and have had a lot of fun with it. My longest leg has been 618 NM (with a nice tail wind), but 300 NM for planning your flight should work well. If you have head winds and only make 80 Knots ground speed, you should still be able to cover 300 miles with good reserves, given careful leaning and careful fuel management. Have a great flight!
Although I've flown a 140 785 nautical miles nonstop against a an average 3 knot headwind and landed with an hour of fuel reserve remaining (used less than 43 gallons of fuel), that plane was highly modified.
I would not attempt more than about 4 hours nonstop in a stock 140. I don't know how your prevailing winds compare with your course, so can't really make a projection of your ground speed. But, if they are against you, I probably wouldn't plan for courses more than about 350 nautical miles long.
JimC
Don't expect to get the speeds listed in the Pilot's Handbook....those numbers were used to sell airlanes back in the 60s. Most Cherokee 140s will cruise anywhere from 100 - 120 mph based on power settings.
I always assume my 140 uses 10 gallons per hour for flight planning, although I know it uses much less at 75% power cruise with proper leaning. With 50 gallons of fuel onboard, that's 5 hours or 4.5 hours endurance with a 1/2 hour day VFR reserve.
I've flown mine on a few 4.5 hour legs. I had more than an hour fuel left, even though I was pushing it pretty hard the last time a flew such a long leg and fighting a headwind and a schedule at the same time. The plane is definitely up to that task, provided you lean the mixture properly. About 850nm in one day (two legs) is the most I've ever flown in one single day.
My experience with my 1967 Cherokee 140 is very similar to Keith.
I too plan on 10 GPH. I do lean and watch it closely. I also have the UBG 16 installed and I it tells me exactly the fuel flow and how much fuel is remaining and used.
When I fill up it is extremely accurate with the pump readings.
Wish I could fly that far across Australia. Now that would be fun!
Have a safe trip and once you get back - please give an update.
In September of 07 I purchased 1967 140 from Yucca Valley California and flew it to Youngstown Ohio. The trip took me the weekend with 3 hours on Friday, 7 Saturday and a whopping 12 on Sunday. The max legs were 3 -1/2 hours. My planned routes had to be changed due to some convective activity. I maintained 10,000 feet most of the way. I planned for 10 gph but in actuality was closer to around 8 gph. I had a headwind most of the way 15 to 18 kts.Keep safe figure the 10 an lean her out. Best wishes and have a great trip. On a side note, take lots of pictures and make a book on shutterfly.com.
In my warrior, if I lean and set 65% (7 GPH) I can make 5 hrs legs with plenty to spare (the FF meter indicates I could stay aloft almost 6:30 till empty).
I have no trouble planning a 500nm leg though some form of relief device is good to have with you if you do.
If no fuel flow measurement, then start with shorter legs, set power carefully and see what you get. then you can make longer legs once you know.
