Earthstar Forums

Hi gang,

I just got off Wikipedia looking at Thundergulls and Titans after following a thread there. I was noticing that the Gull 2000 is listed as an ultralight, with a gross weight of 550lbs. I went back to the Earthstar site and verified that the gross is still 550lbs. My Gull 2000 empty weight, as built by the previous owner, is at 446lbs, only giving me 104lbs for pilot and fuel. Right now, as equipped, I carry 10 gallons, and I weight about 185lbs, which puts me over gross by 141lbs. Where are some of your planes at in respect to this overweight, and what are the ramifications of overweight other than higher landing and take-off speeds as compared to the true 254lb ultralight version. With my add-on junk, I've probably added 10 more lbs.
Just wondering

kb

In a message dated 5/8/2011 10:00:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
kessb@wavecable.com writes:

Hi gang,

I just got off Wikipedia looking at Thundergulls and Titans after
following a thread there. I was noticing that the Gull 2000 is listed as an
ultralight, with a gross weight of 550lbs. I went back to the Earthstar site and
verified that the gross is still 550lbs. My Gull 2000 empty weight, as built
by the previous owner, is at 446lbs, only giving me 104lbs for pilot and
fuel. Right now, as equipped, I carry 10 gallons, and I weight about 185lbs,
which puts me over gross by 141lbs. Where are some of your planes at in
respect to this overweight, and what are the ramifications of overweight
other than higher landing and take-off speeds as compared to the true 254lb
ultralight version. With my add-on junk, I've probably added 10 more lbs.
Just wondering

kb




Hi Kess
The gross weight of an airplane, Cessna,Piper, Beachcraft. you name it is
related to category.
The aerobatic category is 6 G's and the structure is designed to take 6 G s
at 550# If you look in your Cessna 1980 152 Aerobat manual it will be
rated for a minimum weight of payload at aerobatic weight. than if you look at
the utility category the Gull 2000 is rated for 4.8 G s at 750# operating
weight and than you go to normal category at 950# these are structural
capabilities and not related to performance witch is related to size of engine.
In summery, The more weight you add the more stress you can put on the
structurer. so pilots are smart ant they don't do aerobatics in an airplane
that is over weight for the category.
Happy flying
Mark

Thank you Mark,

That's the info I was looking for. My all up weight looks like about 700lbs, unless I'm taking extra stuff for cross country. So it looks like I'm well in the an acceptable range of 4.4G's for utility. I just won't do anymore aerobatics, although my loops and rolls didn't feel like I was loading the airframe too much. I've done thgose manuevers in the Cessna Aerobat, and the 4's or so, feels a lot heavier than the same manuever in the Gull, although the speeds are higher too. I'll just enjoy what we have, and the 4.8G's is just fine.

kb