Lets see now, a BVM composite Bandit has 736 sq. in. of wing area. That is 5.11 square feet.

If the Bandit weighs 19 lbs. dry, and we add a full load of jet-A (96 fluid oz.) at 7.3 lbs./gallon, we have a fuel load of 5.475 lbs (I didn't include the oil, which has a higher specific gravity than the fuel). The total weight at take off, not including fuel consumed prior to lift off would be about 24.475 lbs. For the sake of the conversation, lets round it up to 25 lbs, cause the Bandit could be a little higher than 19 lbs. exactly, especially if it is mine.

We leave the ground at 25 lbs, with 5.11 sq. ft. of wing area, and we are loaded at:

76.71 oz. per square foot. Kinda high, huh?

Now, lets burn all the gas, and land dead stick at 19.5 lbs, still 5.11 sq ft., and we have a loading of:

61.057 oz. per sq. ft. A lot better, huh?

The Balsa Bandit has 775 sq. inches of area, or 5.382 sq. ft. which makes it a little less heavily loaded.

What's amazing to me, is how well they fly at such high loadings!

Somebody check my numbers and see if I'm full of &$(^!#*_+

Harley Condra
BVM REP
RAM REP
Buy American!!!!!!
HP20S calculator user