AH2XP Aircraft Evaluation #03 - Propstrike Studios Cessna 172 Bush Kit
- Propstrike C-172 Bush Kit
- MTOW - 2,558 lbs.
- Cruise - 115 kts.
- 2 hour fuel burn - 8 gph x 2 hr = 16 gal = 96 lbs. (this might actually be 10 gph)
MTOW = 2,558 lbs.
EMPTY = 1,721 lbs.
230 lbs. pilot
96 lbs. fuel (2 hours)
511 lbs. cargo
The Propstrike Cessna 172 Bush Kit is an awesome freeware modification to the default Laminar Research 172. My initial fuel burn was based on some research for the 172N, but I think the Propstrike Cessna 172 is still based on the Laminar model which is the 172SP - which if that is the case you can up the fuel burn to maybe 10 gph instead of 8.
511 lbs. of cargo isn’t bad, and my assumption is the Propstrike 172 will be an affordable first aircraft for an Air Hauler career. Two variants exist - the taildragger configuration and tricycle gear. The plane is REP compatible, but is not GTN 750 compatible. In fact, the 172 is a /A…so it has no GPS whatsoever!
The model is absolutely gorgeous and I think AH2XP pilots should get a discount during the AH2 purchase process because the paint job is so beat to hell…
The 172N manual seems to indicate 10 degrees of flaps for soft field takeoffs, which is what I used. At the maximum takeoff weight, the plane labored up the hill. Anemic engine power maxed out at around 2,300 RPM and no leaning or fiddling could coax more out of it. Pretty much like all the 172s I flew out in Arizona…
I honestly didn’t think we’d make it, but at the last second the stall warning chirped and we staggered into the air just over the end of the island runway obstacles…
Takeoff distance was about 1450’ of the available 1650’…
Coming around for a full flap landing - the Garmin AOA indexer is a very nice tool…
A very firm touchdown, heavy braking, and raising the flaps resulted in a workable 600’ landing distance although I question whether the main spar got cracked…
Thinking that perhaps the 10 degree flap setting was less than ideal for the takeoff, I ran the problem again with flaps zero. The plane did seem to accelerate a bit better with a bit of forward stick, but when easing in the elevator toward the end of the strip the stall horn came on a bit earlier and the result was an even more terrifying takeoff…
In VR - the plane is just perfect. Super high frame-rates, excellent gauge readability, and just overall a great experience…
An important feature of course…an autopilot…!
It is also nice that the plane has the seats torn out and has a legit cargo compartment in the back!
Doing some testing to determine that fuel flow reading - adjusting the airspeed indicator using the pressure altitude vs. temperature bezel adjustment (remember doing that??) - leaned out to roughly 50 degrees rich of peak lean…at full power the engine actually does get up to around 2,700 RPM indicating about 120 knots true at 10 gph…
Pulling the power back to 2,500…(my approximation of 75% power) and we get about 107 knots true and 8 gph…
And the views of Maine are beautiful…!
The Propstrike 172 could be my starter aircraft. Hard not to love everything about it. The takeoff field length could be a problem…and so too could be performance at altitude where much of our flying will likely be happening. Landing distance seems OK, so taking loads in will be OK, but getting them out could be tricky business - but fun business!