SEATTLE, June 29, 2010--A July 17 lecture at The Museum of Flight looks at how flight test programs are undertaken to develop aircraft flight manuals, and how the information in a flight manual is used to determine aircraft airfield performance and cross-country flight planning in a light, twin-engine aircraft-using the Beechcraft P58 Baron as an example. This 2 p.m. lecture is geared to aviators of all levels of experience, as well as those who have an interest in aircraft performance. This unique program features Larry Timmons, President of Aircraft Engineering Specialists, Inc., and engineering aerodynamicist and author Jack Shannon. During this lecture, Timmons describes how aircraft performance is determined, then Shannon describes a typical flight from Boeing Field to San Diego--a flight he has flown many times in his Beechcraft 58P Baron-and shares his best techniques for a safe and efficient flight. Shannon and Timmons will field audience questions after the presentation, and follow with a book signing. The program is in the William M. Allen Theater, and free with Museum admission.
Shannon is an aircraft owner with commercial, instrument and multiengine ratings, and he is the author of a book about the Beechcraft Baron, "The 58P." Aircraft Engineering Specialists determines aircraft performance through flight test and data analysis.
The trip scenario in the presentation will be a flight under instrument flight rules. Shannon will review the factors one must consider in the preparation and planning this type of trip in a P58, including takeoff weight, field lengths, planned altitude, en-route speed, weather, fuel burn and options for the flight. Pilots will see how it is important to fully understand the published flight manual performance data, and to see how they relate to individual skills as a pilot.
