Back in the air tonight for a quick hop. Yet another broker in town…this one showing off the really cool Dornier 228 - a true STOL aircraft that is probably a perfect fit for MAC.
It’s just about my favorite Carenado aircraft - all about utility and function, but they managed to throw some style into the design with those tapered wings.
Those are Garrett TPE 331s - I SAID…THOSE ARE GARRETT TPE THREE THREE ONES…!!!
Lining up for takeoff runway 15 at our home base of Longview Ranch…
At 59% fuel and filling up with 4,140 lbs. of cargo to take us up near the MTOW of 13,250 lbs.
There is a little bit of lag to the turboprop engine modeling. Something you just have to accept and work with when it comes to FSX/P3D turboprop engine dynamics. Off the ground in a respectable 1,700-ish feet even with a full load.
Just out over the valley for a short turn around and landing. A stiff crosswind blowing so we don’t get the help or hurt of any kind of head or tailwind…
The TAWS display is a nice feature…
My first approach, I fly around blue-line and find the landing takes too much distance, with too much float - coming in at around 2,700’…nearly half the runway length. I take her back up, and this time let the speed settle down around Vmca (red line) with what appears to be around 10 or 12 knots over the full flap stall speed. The plane handles it fine, I’m just not a fan of flying planes that slow…but in a pinch, the Do228 can do it just fine and the next landing comes in way shorter - probably closer to 1,700 to 1,800’ of runway used. Not bad for max gross!
The Do228 can haul a great load for a fair price tag of only (ONLY!) 1.8 million or so. Considering its efficiency, we could probably even bump some additional fuel and carry up to 6,000 lbs. of cargo. The short field capabilities definitely have moved it near the top of the list…
