curious about weight reduction

[mwilli7119]

The project that I am finishing is 30 years old so a lot of the stuff that I have is the original type.

Just out of curiosity, what new or updated stuff (wheels? brakes? etc.) could I change out and save a few pounds? I know it all costs money, but who knows, some of it I may be able to afford.
One example, I am getting rid of my original spinner for a smaller composite one and saving considerable weight where it counts.

Mike Williams
(soon to be) Varieze N689MW

[Joe Dubner]

Mike,

The wheels are very close to the CG so replacing them comes under the category of diminishing returns.  The composite spinner sounds like a good idea but I don't know firsthand as my spinner is even lighter yet -- I have no spinner :-)

IMO the big payoff is the weight aft of the CG.  My O235 Long-EZ has a small automotive alternator and no vacuum pump (or even pad).  After changing from a Prestolite boat-anchor starter to a lightweight unit, I was able to remove some lead ballast from the nose -- that's my idea of cost effective.  (If I wasn't such a lightweight myself, the airplane wouldn't need any nose ballast now).  Lightening the cowls seems like the next logical step but I'd rather be flying.

Lighter weight is (almost) always a Good Thing(tm) but is most noticeable in the climb.  Cruise performance is hardly affected.

When I bought my EZ recently, I promised my wife I would go on a diet.  I lost 15 pounds and frankly, it was easier than getting 15 pounds out of the airplane.

I did replace the 23 pound battery (in the nose of the airplane) with a 13 pound one from Odessey.  That was 10 pounds in one swoop.  I doubled the cranking amps at the same time!  The old, heavier battery was 330 amps the new, smaller one is 625 amps!

The other thing I am doing this winter is converting to EFIS.  I am going to be carefully tracking this and document the change in weight from removing the "steam guages", vacuum pump, plumbing and so forth and replacing it with a dual screen EFIS from Grand Rapids.

Rick Pellicciotti
http://www.belleaireaviation.com

[Jack]

One example, I am getting rid of my original spinner for a smaller composite one and saving considerable weight where it counts.

Mike Williams
(soon to be) Varieze N689MW

Real weight saver is knowing how much fuel you really need for those local flights.

Jack

[Snappy]

Be sure you run your EFIS instument wiring down the opposite side and away from any power cables.  I turn on my landing light and get an automatic 15 degree increase in oil temp.