New prop check

Today I had to do a test flight in a 1976 Piper Lance that used to have a two blade prop on it.  It was subject to that Hartzell hub AD last year, and most people opted to buy a new prop under the program from Hartzell, and the owner of this airplane was no exception…though he went for a three blade prop to replace it.

My friend Grant went with me for this half hour jaunt up around the lakes.  I’m not a big fan of the Lance line, mainly because of the wing.  The hershey bar wing on an airplane this heavy just doesn’t like to fly slow…meaning takeoff and landing are a bit more challenging.  This is the same wing that I had on my Cherokee 140 and 180, but those airplanes are much lighter.  On takeoff, we had a bit of a gust from the right, and the wing wasn’t quite ready to fly, but the nose wheel was off.  We sorta lifted in to ground effect, but had to ride it out as the right wing sunk just a bit with the gust.  Winds weren’t bad at all, at only 11 knots right down the runway (R20), but the gust was just enough to scoot us a bit.  Got the airspeed up, and we flew on out of ground effect easily.  Gear tucked, and we were on our way upstairs.

The new prop is very smooth.  This airplane used to have an annoying vibration that I attributed to the prop.  Since that vibration is gone, I assume I was right.  It still has another low frequency rumble that feels like it’s airframe related.  We’re gonna look at it, and see if there’s a gear door out of alignment or something.

Anyway, Grant had fun.  We did a couple turns around the lakes, then headed back to the airport.  I flew a long final, and set it down just past the numbers.

Still not a fan of the Lance, but I’m always thankful for any chance to fly when I don’t have to pay for it!

Check out the late 70’s panel color in this thing!

The airplane from the outside is quite nice looking in 1976 BiCentenial colors…it has all the LoPresti mods on it!

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