I have a Superstar w/ an OS40LA & a 9oz fuel tank.

I know it depends on engine speed, altitude, idle speed etc., but I'm trying to figure what a general safe time for the plane to be in the air would be?

I really don't want to deal with a dead stick landing this early in my career.

dedapr,

I'm sure there is a formula but I just set it for 5 minutes and look at how much fuel you used.
Then go for 10 minutes, it should do more than 10 minutes.

Are you having someone train you? or are you doing this on your own?

Bill

dedapr,
My dad and i always take the plane outside and fill it all the way up, then we start the engine. We set the needle. When we set the needle, we listen for when the engine gets up to full speed and then we turn the needle untill we hear it start slowing down. After that, my dad usually turns the needle a couple more clicks. All of our engines seem to run fine. i've had a spectrum with a O.S. 46 FX in it for about a year now. I've probally put at lease 100 flights on it and I've never had a dead stick on it. Anyways, my dad and i let the plane run at full speed untill it runs out of gas and quits. Then we do it again. (to make sure we get the same time) Then i usuall fly till about 2-3 minutes before it's out of gas and land it. Hope this info can help you.

Airplane_boy

DEDAPR:
do not fly your plane yourself the first time, San Diego has several club, and several teachers to train you.
the use of a instructor and a buddy box will insure the fun in learning to fly your Superstar!!!

It will depend alot on your flying style. If you set your throttle to max and leave it there, it will burn fuel more rapidly. Most .40 sized engines I have experienced (mine and other's) will run for about 10 minutes on an 8 oz tank, full throttle 85% of the flight. My ASP .40 sips so little fuel that I get 15 minutes of flying time (1/2 throttle 80% of flight, full for 15%) and I still have plenty of fuel at landing.

I have the same setup on my trainer and had the same question. After a few dead sticks under my belt, I took it up and set her to wide open and started the clock. I think I got just under 15 minutes. Flying at half throttle, I am sure you can get a fair bit longer but without much difference in speed. I hope this helps.

As for deadsticks, they are really no big deal if you are over the field. Just keep it over the field doing circles. When the engine quits, fly your approach. That plane floats!!

Zee

I probably will teach myself to fly. I did it as a kid and also used to have a VFR rating on real planes. I'm self taught in mosr activities and have a better abilty to do so than most.

However, I have tried to find a field in San Diego, Weedwackers, Miramar, Palomar and about 3 others, but the info on the AMA website is not accurate. My emails are returned and the ph #'s are not accurate anymore.

Also my schedule is nowhere near normal and I have 40 acres of my own that I could fly on.