question about EZRocket

My O-320 powered Long EZ doesn't climb at 10,000 fpm at Vne.

Actually, Rick, the web site says, "Single engine performance is
similar to a Lycoming O-320 with constant speed prop." So in that
statement they are talking about performance with only one of the two
rockets firing. Even so, the statement is not entirely accurate.

David O -- http://www.AirplaneZone.com

As Dave Barry would say, "an alert reader....".... You are correct in
your observation. The more complex and more correct statement is that
the single engine ground roll and takeoff are similar to an O-320 with
constant speed prop at a low MSL airport. After takeoff, the piston
engine/prop thrust drops with indicated speed whereas the rocket
engines have constant thrust. Also, the piston engine power drops with
altitude.

And the reason for the short airshow routine was because the events
coordinator asked us to keep it short. Otherwise, Dick would have done
a second go-around (which he practiced at Mojave the week before). We
landed with about half of the propellants remaining, which was why we
did the LOX vent after landing and before rolling into the crowd. Too
bad; that second go-around is more impressive at lighter weight.

Glide and landing are similar to a standard Long, except that the
rocket has less drag (the added fuel tank has less drag than the prop
and cooling drag did), and the belly board is less effective ahead of
the fuel tank.

Dan DeLong
XCOR Aerospace