Date:         Fri, 6 Jun 2003 14:42:59 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Earl <jefferrata@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Earl <jefferrata@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      When Westies Fly ... was Frydae notsofunnies Nigerian businessmen
Comments: cc: al_knoll@PACBELL.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

>> RVC:  On level ground at 8000' ASL into a 25mph
headwind what should one expect for top speed in a
fully loaded 89 westie?  at sea level a 25mph headwind
is pretty limiting, at 8000 feet?

Pensioner, contrary to common wisdom, your van's
performance will actually INCREASE with altitude,
owing to lower wind resistance as a by-product of
lower air mass, i.e. the air molecules are less
densely "packed together". This is why commercial
airliners fly so high -- big fuel savings. The air
density at 8000 feet is about 75% what it is at sea
level, for a fuel savings (or power increase) of 34%.

Hence, a fully loaded Westy that normally has a top
speed of 70 MPH at sea level will deliver nearly 94
MPH at such an altitude. Unless it's a diesel, which
may only go around 85 or so ...

Please ensure that your snack tray is in a locked and
upright position!

"OK, I'll leave it at that since I've already gone on
for far too long about something I don't know a whole
lot about ..."

Jeffrey Earl
1983 diesel Westfalia "Vanasazi"





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