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In a message dated 12/30/2005 9:45:51 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I recently spoke with a guy with a E model, metal wings, standard tanks, two
modern radios, a new interior and a new paint job. He claims his Coupe has
an empty weight of 1000 pounds. This seems rather high to me. I thought it
should be around 930 to 950. Any comments?
My 1966 Alon weighed 997 lbs empty when I weighed it on certified aircraft scales after the restoration. It surprised me that it was that high, because I took off the wheel pants that were on it (they weigh about 12 pounds), and I know what came out of the plane and what went back in. The old empty weight with the wheel pants was supposedly 967 lbs according to the weight and balance paperwork. I wish that I had weighed the plane before I started restoring it, because I think it really weighed more than 967 lbs.
The Alon has metal wings, and mine has the extended baggage compartment, pretty good instrumentation, shoulder harnesses, and good upholstery in it. The plane is not painted yet but has epoxy primer on the entire exterior, and on the inside of the wings. The plane will weigh over 1000 lbs with paint on it. Probably about 1025 or 1030 lbs. Gross weight on the Alon is 1450 lbs.
The small useful load of the Coupes is the only thing that I don't like about them. I get around it by not carrying a full load of fuel when I'm carrying a full sized passenger, which isn't all that often. My usual passengers are my kids, and they aren't that heavy. I can carry two 175 lb people and 17 gallons and no baggage and be just under gross. Most of my flights are pretty short, so the smaller fuel load usually isn't an issue. The C-182 that I used to own carried about 80 gallons of fuel which was really terrific........ Except when I had to put fuel in it!
Wayne DelRossi
Alon N5618F
Hours logged since restoration: 65.0
Alon N5618F
Hours logged since restoration: 65.0
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