Old thread, that I'd like to revive tangentially. First, I've been doing a lot of reading of "official" stuff, and can confirm that the washout as specified by Piper is 2-1/2 deg, as Perry correctly explained in #9 and #21. Piper's specified washout angle is independent of the incidence angle, and is the same for PA-12 and PA-18. The approved alternate means of leveling (AC-43-16 beginning page 10 here
https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/...7_08_Alert.pdf) in pitch is floorboard between gear fittings. In roll it's the member that supports the front edge of the rear seat. Piper's rigging instructions begin with leveling the airplane, however with digital level that can be bypassed for washout. Just set the twist in the wing to 2-1/2 deg for Piper spec.
The above being settled fact

, now my question - -
In other prior threads, there seems to be a preference for setting washout less than the Piper spec. Perhaps on the order of 1 deg. Some folks are advocating zero washout. I'm looking for some guidance on an EAB -12 build I'm working on.
Those of you with experience flying planes with washouts less than Piper's, what is your reaction? Do you experience a stall and/or cruise speed difference? Do you experience a difference in slow-flight stability? Do you experience any adverse stall characteristics? Do you experience any takeoff or landing performance differences? Anything else?
I'd like to learn what the consensus might be for the "best" washout setting.
Thanks!
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