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Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X
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Mike Welch

Joined: 13 Feb 2011
Posts: 272

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 9:40 am Post subject: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 If and when you ever fly a MKIIIx


	


 	  Quote: 	
		   john h

 MKIII

 Titus, Alabama


	


John,



  I'd say we're pretty much on the same page on this debate.  



  Re; the "if and when", at the moment, that and a few other things is the question.

The latest glitch is a recent episode of glaucoma in my left eye.  My vision was down to

about 30% at it's worst.  I can see shapes and colors, but zero detail.  Glaucoma usually causes 

irreversible nerve damage.  This is likely the case for me, too.

  I've been back and forth to the Eye Doc in the last couple of months.  I had the laser surgery

on the last visit, gawd that hurt like hell!!  Progress is slow, if at all.  The super expensive eye drops

to lower my  excessively high internal eyeball pressure have finally began to work.  Now the IOP 

(inter-occular pressure) is within acceptable ranges...and maybe 'some'  healing can begin.

  I'd guess my left eye vision has improved to about 70% of normal.  Certainly better than it was.

The internal retina photographs do show a significant degree of permanent eye loss.  Most of 

my tunnel vision is here to stay.  



  Regarding my plane, it's REALLY close to being done.  I only have a couple of days of tinkering with 

odds and ends to wrap it up!  At the moment, it's on hold.



  Apologies to all about the Sad Sack dribble.



Mike Welch



Here's a shot of my plane last June.  ALL Lexan has been installed since this photo was taken.

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slyck(at)frontiernet.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:24 am Post subject: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

The only good reason for a nose wheel is to avoid having to S turn a blind ship down the taxiway.

That isn't a problem in a Kolb.

You would have to try hard to ground loop one too.

BB

MkIII, suzuki

Scottsville, NY

Floral City, FL



On Nov 15, 2011, at 12:02 PM, John Hauck wrote:






 Like Rick N. suggested, maybe we should just get a flight in a MkIII and

relax.  By all accounts, evidently Kolbs are some of the best taildraggers

around.



Mike W



Mike W/Kolbers:



Maybe get some "actual pilot time" in a MKIII will help get a better picture

of that aircraft's handling characteristics.



I find it difficult to make effective changes to a proven aircraft design

without having actual experience flying that aircraft.



john h

mkIII

Titus, Alabama

Rick Lewis

Joined: 03 Jul 2007
Posts: 122
Location: Kingston, Tn.

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

Thank you all for the replies on this subject.  I've taken in all this information and thoughts on the idea of a nose wheel for my MK3X and I will probably weld in extra support needed in case in the future I decide to put one on.  My cage has not been covered yet so this is the ideal time for me to do this.  I definitely will NOT test fly with a nose wheel.  I only hope I can get a little flight time with Brian before I test fly.  Years ago I test flew my Cozy III without instruction and did ok but it really wasn't very smart, very fast airplane.  If the weather is good next week I will be going to the Kolb factory to visit with Travis, Dennis, and Brian.  They have a prototype cage for me to look at and I will take pictures.



                                         Rick Lewis

_________________
Rick Lewis

(VW Watercooled Engine)

pc.king(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:59 pm Post subject: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

Back in the day a Canadian ultralight called the Lazair could be built with 

a wheel in the nose, but you would hardly call it a nosewheel. It was in 

front of the pilot's feet. It was there to keep the nose from digging in if 

the tail came up on landing. No steering. No brakes. The bottom of the wheel 

hung below the fairing, or the front tubes. It was a fat plastic wheel that 

might have started life on an all terrain garden cart.



---

rickofudall

Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Posts: 1392
Location: Udall, KS, USA

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:26 pm Post subject: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

Actually that nose wheel on the Lazair started life as a wheel for hang gliders. You slipped them over the base tube and used a stop collar on one side only. That's why the funny shape, so they wouldn't rub on the down tube should you happen to use them. 



Rick Girard



On Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 6:56 PM, pcking <pc.king(at)comcast.net (pc.king(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

[quote] --> Kolb-List message posted by: "pcking" <pc.king(at)comcast.net (pc.king(at)comcast.net)>

 

 

 Back in the day a Canadian ultralight called the Lazair could be built with a wheel in the nose, but you would hardly call it a nosewheel. It was in front of the pilot's feet. It was there to keep the nose from digging in if the tail came up on landing. No steering. No brakes. The bottom of the wheel hung below the fairing, or the front tubes. It was a fat plastic wheel that might have started life on an all terrain garden cart.

  

 

 

 

 

 ---

_________________
The smallest miracle right in front of you is enough to make you happy....

pc.king(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:15 pm Post subject: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

Could something like that be an alternative to a nose wheel? You  would have a taildragger with a fat tire in the nose just in case. 

  

 [quote]   ---

rickofudall

Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Posts: 1392
Location: Udall, KS, USA

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:30 pm Post subject: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

Well, it worked for the Barling Bomber, not.



Rick Girard



On Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 8:13 PM, pcking <pc.king(at)comcast.net (pc.king(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

 [quote]        

 Could something like that be an alternative to a nose wheel? You  would have a taildragger with a fat tire in the nose just in case. 

  

 [quote]   ---

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_________________
The smallest miracle right in front of you is enough to make you happy....

Dennis.Kirby(at)kirtland.
Guest

Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:33 am Post subject: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

robert bean wrote: << … reason for a nose wheel is to avoid having to S turn a blind ship

down the taxiway.  That isn't a problem in a Kolb.  You would have to try hard to ground loop one too. >>

 

 

Bob –

 

Uh … I did it without trying too hard.  (ground loop a Kolb)

Kolbs are not immune.

 

The wingtip dragged on the asphalt when my Mark-3 got hit from the side by a microburst while rolling for takeoff, and turned me 90 degrees.  I was not yet at flying speed.  The good news is, the Kolb is a pretty sturdy airplane, and there was no damage to any structure.  Just torn fabric on the wingtip – an easy repair.

 

Dennis Kirby

Mark-3

do not archive

 

 

 [quote][b]

Richard Pike

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1671
Location: Blountville, Tennessee

Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

It is interesting that we went over this topic about a year ago, here is the thread, with pictures of my original - and unneeded - nose gear assembly.

http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?t=75465&highlight=



I still have the nose wheel assembly out in the hangar, and for whatever it takes to cover the cost of shipping, I'll send it to whoever wants it.



Something we hashed over on another thread - as noticeable a difference it makes to your trim when you put streamline coverings on the main gear legs, I suspect that hanging a nose wheel down there is going to really add to the drag equation, and require substantial additional nose up trim.

_________________
Richard Pike
Kolb MKIII N420P (420ldPoops)
Kingsport, TN 3TN0

Forgiving is tough, being forgiven is wonderful, and God's grace really is amazing.

ces308

Joined: 03 Nov 2008
Posts: 317
Location: houghton lake ,mi

Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:59 am Post subject: Re: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

....you could put a handicap sticker next to the N number then too...lol



JUST KIDDING !!!!...LOL



chris ambrose

M3X/Jabiru

N327CS



JUST KIDDING !!!!

ces308

Joined: 03 Nov 2008
Posts: 317
Location: houghton lake ,mi

Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

Regarding my plane, it's REALLY close to being done. I only have a couple of days of tinkering with 

odds and ends to wrap it up! At the moment, it's on hold. 



Apologies to all about the Sad Sack dribble. 



Mike Welch 



Here's a shot of my plane last June. ALL Lexan has been installed since this photo was taken.

  Mike  ...YOUR AIRPLANE IS BEAUTIFUL !



chris ambrose

M3X/Jabiru

N327CS

Mike Welch

Joined: 13 Feb 2011
Posts: 272

Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:28 am Post subject: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

Thanks, Chris!!!  



You're very kind.  Like our buddy Scott Thompson said,"any plane can be made to look good from a few away".  haha

Thanks again, Amigo!



[quote]

  Mike  ...YOUR AIRPLANE IS BEAUTIFUL !



chris ambrose

M3X/Jabiru

N327CS



[b]

captainron1(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:30 am Post subject: Nose wheel on a Kolb MK3X

Yes I am very interested in seeing how he moved the main gear back. I have been toying with that for a while. My best idea was to have a new steel main that is attached the same way however bent back about a foot and then spread out as usual. But Have no time for work on the Kolb so that and other Kolb things to do are in suspension.



The nose gear should not present a problem as we have plenty of structure to weld a tube into which the nose gear tube can be inserted into. those with heavy motors like me may find that as a good W&B solution, in addition to the nose gear configuration and its advantages.



Ron (at) KFHU

====================

---- Rick Lewis <cktman(at)hughes.net> wrote: 



=============




Thanks Mike for the reply.  Kolb has NOT afford an option for the MKX, as far as I know, but they have impressed me with what they have done so far on this.  I talked to Brian today about this modification on the MKX and I will be going to see them in a fews days to look at a prototype.  If others are interested in this I will submit pictures that I take. I Will be looking for other positive replies on this.



--------

Rick Lewis



(VW Watercooled Engine)





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=357887#357887



--

kugelair.com

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