Which 260 Do You Fly?

[Michael]

I've always been real conservative with fuel, topping off at almost every opportunity. For whatever reason I ran the tanks down to about 30 gallons this week and was running errands and making short hops. I was amazed with how quick she leaped off the runway and the increased elevator response when flaring to land. Just wondering if the rest of you are flying on 'Full' all the time or do some of you keep the plane lighter. I have a '79 so full for me is 92 gallons (552 lbs!).

Cheers,
Michael
97AV

[kwmoore]

812KT has 78 gal. useful; I also notice the difference you describe when I depart with <50 gallons or so. Probably it's just enhanced performance due to lighter take-off weight. With both the canard, as well as 260 hp to motivate a plane with takeoff weight about that of a 172 or Warrior, it's no surprise that performance would be spectacular!

In addition, as I burn off fuel in cruise, cruise speed seems to go up 1-2 kt.