5pguy wrote:
Fred - you may want to consider a C172 w/180 hp. The extra hp will get
you no more then 5 knots, but what a lift you'll get. Climbs with
gross weight (2550 lb) easily 1000 fpm.
I have LRT, which allows me at about 65% bhp to cruise for 5 hours.
Don't know if your
bladder will hold up, but it's very close to you specs.

My payload is 735 lb. That's not a bad payload figure. With the same
hp in a Piper, you will not get close to this figure or the 1000 fpm
either. I burn about 9.5, but use 10 gph. Now if go to a C182, you
will get close to the same payload, but burn rate is much more and the
cost to maintain is great.

/pedantry on

You must mean your "payload with full fuel" is 735 lbs. Otherwise with 5
hours of fuel at 10 gal/hr that's 600 lbs and leaves only 135 lbs. for
passengers or freight.

"Payload" is usually used to mean the total weight of fuel, passengers,
and freight, so that you can adjust the amount of fuel carried to fit
the mission. Payload is a better measure of an aircraft's capability
than "payload with full fuel".

/pedantry off

DB