SixPapaCharlie
May the force be with you
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2013
- Messages
- 16,438
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Sixer
I got to fly a truly wild aircraft today. If I understand correctly 7 Adam A500s were made (Or certified) and 3 remain flying today.
This one at Dallas Exec is incredible. Powered by 2 Continental 550s which is a lot but not over the top. However, it puts you back in the seat moreso than any non jet aircraft I have been in.
It eats a crap ton of runway before it wants to take off but one up, it climbs like a rocket.
It is incredibly stable. My Comanche was getting rocked like crazy on the way to see the Adam and this thing not so much. I suspect the extra 3000 lbs is to thank for that.
First Rutan thing I have ever been in and quite interesting. It is VERY tall on the ramp. The pictures don't do it justice. When landing, it is high off the ground. I let the owner take over on final otherwise I would have flared after smashing it into the ground.
It feels very fast but it actually isn't. I felt like we were landing at 200 kts but he said we were doing 105 over the numbers.
We were cruising at 160 but it felt much faster. Not sure what creates the illusion that it is going faster than it is but I really felt like we were screaming over the numbers.
The controls are very heavy. It is responsive but the control forces are pretty heavy. A thumb and index finger won't do it.
It is very loud inside. I took my headset off briefly and I'd say one of the loudest planes I recall being in.
Club seating in the back but one of the forward seats can rotate and face forward if desired. Very roomy and lots of legroom to stretch out.
The pilot seats were a little more cramped. Not bad but like a typical GA plane. Ya can't really man spread up there.
Visibility out front is not great. The window is very slanted and the glareshield comes up pretty high creating a thin field of view over the nose.
Empty weight 5500. Max Gross 7000.
All in all, a really great experience.
This one at Dallas Exec is incredible. Powered by 2 Continental 550s which is a lot but not over the top. However, it puts you back in the seat moreso than any non jet aircraft I have been in.
It eats a crap ton of runway before it wants to take off but one up, it climbs like a rocket.
It is incredibly stable. My Comanche was getting rocked like crazy on the way to see the Adam and this thing not so much. I suspect the extra 3000 lbs is to thank for that.
First Rutan thing I have ever been in and quite interesting. It is VERY tall on the ramp. The pictures don't do it justice. When landing, it is high off the ground. I let the owner take over on final otherwise I would have flared after smashing it into the ground.
It feels very fast but it actually isn't. I felt like we were landing at 200 kts but he said we were doing 105 over the numbers.
We were cruising at 160 but it felt much faster. Not sure what creates the illusion that it is going faster than it is but I really felt like we were screaming over the numbers.
The controls are very heavy. It is responsive but the control forces are pretty heavy. A thumb and index finger won't do it.
It is very loud inside. I took my headset off briefly and I'd say one of the loudest planes I recall being in.
Club seating in the back but one of the forward seats can rotate and face forward if desired. Very roomy and lots of legroom to stretch out.
The pilot seats were a little more cramped. Not bad but like a typical GA plane. Ya can't really man spread up there.
Visibility out front is not great. The window is very slanted and the glareshield comes up pretty high creating a thin field of view over the nose.
Empty weight 5500. Max Gross 7000.
All in all, a really great experience.