Guys,
Can an L4B be operate at 553kg - 1,220 lb?
While the USAAF handbook quotes 1,170 lb, this is a military document, which I believe has no standing in civil aviation regulations, hence the fact that all L4s leaving military service were redesignated J3C-65 for the civil aircraft register.
In the Aircraft Specification document No. A-691 (below) the L4, L4A and L4B are quoted as "the same as Model J3C-65" and no MTOW is noted for these models. It would seem that these models fall through the legal cracks, as they are not mentioned in the serial No section specifically.
FYI 8278-9020, 9676 -10291, 10339 -10537 are L4, L4A and L4B Serials.
Also, what are the Piper modifications quoted below and are they already incorporated into the L4/A/B?
(landing gear is revised in accordance with Piper Dwgs. 31472 and 31423)
AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATION NO. A-691
IV. - Model J3C-65 (Army L-4, L-4A, L-4B (Navy NE-1), L-4H, L-4J (Navy NE-2)), 2 POLM, Approved July 6, 1939.
See NOTE 7 regarding conversion to 2 PCLM.
Army L-4 (previously Army 0-59) is the same as Model J3C-65. Army L-4A (previously Army 0-59A) and Army L-4B
are the same as Model J3C-65 except for transparent turtledeck enclosure, revised rear seat with seat back belts, addition of
rear shelf and rear floorboard. Army L-4H is same as L-4A except for G. F. radio equipment and revised method of
installing the transparent cockpit enclosure. Army L-4J (Navy NE-2) same as any L-4, L-4A, L-4B and L-4H except for
installation of propeller, Item 1.
Maximum Weight
Serial Nos. 7842, 7845 through 7883, and 7912 and up are eligible for 1170 lb. maximum
weight. These airplanes are also eligible for 1220 lb. maximum weight provided the
landing gear is revised in accordance with Piper Dwgs. 31472 and 31423.
Serial Nos. prior to 7912, and not listed above, are eligible for 1100 lb. maximum weight.
These airplanes are also eligible for 1170 lb. maximum weight provided the lift
struts and attachments are revised in accordance with Piper Dwgs. No. 12352,
13233 and 21642 and for further increase to 1220 lb. upon revision of the landing
gear in accordance with Piper Dwgs. No. 31472 and 31423.
Serial Nos. 10339 and up and 2356-A and up of Model J3C-65 eligible for 1220 lb.
maximum weight.
Serial Numbers Eligible 2325, 2327, 2339, 2340, 2342, 2344, 2345, 2347, 2349, 2351, 2355 and up;
2356-A and up; and 8277-1 through 8277-40.
Can an L4B be operate at 553kg - 1,220 lb?
While the USAAF handbook quotes 1,170 lb, this is a military document, which I believe has no standing in civil aviation regulations, hence the fact that all L4s leaving military service were redesignated J3C-65 for the civil aircraft register.
In the Aircraft Specification document No. A-691 (below) the L4, L4A and L4B are quoted as "the same as Model J3C-65" and no MTOW is noted for these models. It would seem that these models fall through the legal cracks, as they are not mentioned in the serial No section specifically.
FYI 8278-9020, 9676 -10291, 10339 -10537 are L4, L4A and L4B Serials.
Also, what are the Piper modifications quoted below and are they already incorporated into the L4/A/B?
(landing gear is revised in accordance with Piper Dwgs. 31472 and 31423)
AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATION NO. A-691
IV. - Model J3C-65 (Army L-4, L-4A, L-4B (Navy NE-1), L-4H, L-4J (Navy NE-2)), 2 POLM, Approved July 6, 1939.
See NOTE 7 regarding conversion to 2 PCLM.
Army L-4 (previously Army 0-59) is the same as Model J3C-65. Army L-4A (previously Army 0-59A) and Army L-4B
are the same as Model J3C-65 except for transparent turtledeck enclosure, revised rear seat with seat back belts, addition of
rear shelf and rear floorboard. Army L-4H is same as L-4A except for G. F. radio equipment and revised method of
installing the transparent cockpit enclosure. Army L-4J (Navy NE-2) same as any L-4, L-4A, L-4B and L-4H except for
installation of propeller, Item 1.
Maximum Weight
Serial Nos. 7842, 7845 through 7883, and 7912 and up are eligible for 1170 lb. maximum
weight. These airplanes are also eligible for 1220 lb. maximum weight provided the
landing gear is revised in accordance with Piper Dwgs. 31472 and 31423.
Serial Nos. prior to 7912, and not listed above, are eligible for 1100 lb. maximum weight.
These airplanes are also eligible for 1170 lb. maximum weight provided the lift
struts and attachments are revised in accordance with Piper Dwgs. No. 12352,
13233 and 21642 and for further increase to 1220 lb. upon revision of the landing
gear in accordance with Piper Dwgs. No. 31472 and 31423.
Serial Nos. 10339 and up and 2356-A and up of Model J3C-65 eligible for 1220 lb.
maximum weight.
Serial Numbers Eligible 2325, 2327, 2339, 2340, 2342, 2344, 2345, 2347, 2349, 2351, 2355 and up;
2356-A and up; and 8277-1 through 8277-40.
