![Matronics Email Lists Forum Index](templates/Matronics/images/logo_phpBB.gif) |
Matronics Email Lists Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
steve(at)newcap.net Guest
|
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:39 am Post subject: Prop/Nose Wheel |
|
|
About 4 years ago my partner and I purchased a kitfox classic IV with a
Rotax 912 80 hp. that was to be used in our flight school in Baldwin
Ontario. The kit was about 60-70% complete when we bought it. After
trying to have it registered as an advanced ultralight and then as a home
built we have given up and will register it as a basic ultralight. It
should be painted this week. It is a tail dragger but would like to
convert it to a nose wheel to make it easier to train on. Does anyone know
of someone converting from a nosewheel to a tail dragger? Also we still
need a prop, what kind of prop works best with the 912 on a classic IV?
Thank you,
Steve Hall (Toronto Aerosport)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
mail2web LIVE � Free email based on Microsoft� Exchange technology -
http://link.mail2web.com/LIVE
| - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
![](templates/Matronics/images/spacer.gif) |
Float Flyr
![](images/avatars/6347796944bf72a583fa4.jpg)
Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 2704 Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland
|
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject: Prop/Nose Wheel |
|
|
Curiosity killed the cat.... Satisfaction...
What was the problem with registering as an amateur built?? Something to do
with inspections?? BTW most of these planes (Kitfox, Avid Etc.) are
conventional gear and students will probably have to convert when they get
their own planes. Training on conventional gear may not be all bad.
Noel
--
| - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________ Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats |
|
Back to top |
|
![](templates/Matronics/images/spacer.gif) |
JetPilot
![](images/avatars/1330309113447f779f77e0b.jpg)
Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 1246
|
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject: Re: Prop/Nose Wheel |
|
|
Steve is right on wanting to convert his Kitfox to a nosewheel airplane. Training on a tailwheel airplane is just asking to have your plane destroyed. The accident statistics don't lie, they don't have opinions, they just tell cold hard reality. There is a really good reason that the Hull insurance on a taildragger is about twice as expensive as for a plane with tricycle gear. I know most " He Men Pilots " here will disagree with me on this subject, but again the facts and the numbers leave no room for argument or opinions on this issue.
Kitfox sells a nosewheel option for the Series 7 SS. You might possibly buy the nosewheel from them. I am looking at several props for my Kitfox with a 912-S, a warp drive, a powerfin, a Nu Form which Flight Designs CT uses, and possibly the new sensenich composite prop if its not to expensive. I would not buy an IVO, and I would not put an old technology outdated wooden prop on my kitfox if they were giving them away for free.
Mike
| - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________ "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!!
Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S |
|
Back to top |
|
![](templates/Matronics/images/spacer.gif) |
lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net Guest
|
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject: Prop/Nose Wheel |
|
|
Hey Mike,
I trained in conventional gear like lots of pilots. Have never groundlooped
either. Point me to the statistics. I would like to read the comparisons
myself. I suspect that if the information was really available, that most
groundloops and landing incidents were performed by transitioning or
transitioned pilots who developed lazy feet.
No room for opinions? I wonder what that means. If anyone does have a
contrary opinion, you have tried to discredit them by calling them bold. Is
that as in "no old bold pilots"? I have never considered myself a bold
pilot, just one that trained, soloed and have all but about 5 hours in
tailwheels, I'm also old - not real old, mind you, but old enough to have
done a few things that are considered right scary in this day and age. I
also ride two wheel bicycles, and can drive stick shift cars, even in San
Francisco.
Incidentally, early last year I put together a spreadsheet showing what list
members were flying, along with engine choices and any other information
members submitted. Totals to Feb 2007 - 16 NW, 110 TW. Sounds like lots
of contrary opinions.
In short, what's your point?
Lowell
Do not archive
---
| - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
![](templates/Matronics/images/spacer.gif) |
akflyer
![](images/avatars/2137179804977e39d71c60.jpg)
Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 574 Location: Soldotna AK
|
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Prop/Nose Wheel |
|
|
JetPilot wrote: | Steve is right on wanting to convert his Kitfox to a nosewheel airplane. Training on a tailwheel airplane is just asking to have your plane destroyed. The accident statistics don't lie, they don't have opinions, they just tell cold hard reality. There is a really good reason that the Hull insurance on a taildragger is about twice as expensive as for a plane with tricycle gear. I know most " He Men Pilots " here will disagree with me on this subject, but again the facts and the numbers leave no room for argument or opinions on this issue.
Kitfox sells a nosewheel option for the Series 7 SS. You might possibly buy the nosewheel from them. I am looking at several props for my Kitfox with a 912-S, a warp drive, a powerfin, a Nu Form which Flight Designs CT uses, and possibly the new sensenich composite prop if its not to expensive. I would not buy an IVO, and I would not put an old technology outdated wooden prop on my kitfox if they were giving them away for free.
Mike |
Not a he man just a pilot. Initial training was done in a PA12 with 31" airsteaks. Not real forgiving on pavement. No issues and was signed off to solo in 4.5 hrs. If the aircraft is going to be used as a primary trainer in a flight school, then I would say go tricycle, if it is personal, and you plan on making even one off airport landing, then go tail wheel.
I can back this up with facts if I need to dig up how many 206, 207, 182 etc. end up on their backs versus how many cubs are ground looped and have structural damage.
Hands down for around here it is tail wheel all the way
| - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________ DO NOT ARCHIVE
Leonard Perry aka SNAKE
Soldotna AK
Avid "C" / Mk IV
582 (147 hrs and counting on the rebuild)
IVO IFA
Full Lotus 1450
#1 snake oil salesman since 1-22-2009
I would rather die trying to live, than to live trying not to die.... |
|
Back to top |
|
![](templates/Matronics/images/spacer.gif) |
Float Flyr
![](images/avatars/6347796944bf72a583fa4.jpg)
Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 2704 Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland
|
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:33 am Post subject: Prop/Nose Wheel |
|
|
My take on it, for what it's worth, is train on whatever type of plane you
are expecting to fly. When I took flying lessons, a few years ago, I was
looking for a school that had a conventional plane for training. They are
as scarce as hens teeth! The reason being the training on a tricycle gear
plane is easier and even the instructors have never flown a tail wheel.
Note I said the word easier not better. Traditionally conventional gear is
a bit faster in the air, and can be turned in a very short distance on the
ground. When it comes to off runway use the tricycle gear can work there
too if you have a big balloon tire on the nose... Creating even more drag.
It would not be fair to go this far without at least mentioning Floats and
skis.
Floats have a big pendulum effect when you are flying. On the water you
almost never will taxi with your elevator down.. You want to keep your prop
out of the water. Taxing on floats can be a bit tricky as the CG of the
plane changes with attitude on the water and if you aren't careful you can
find yourself switching from upwind to downwind in a bit of a hurry. Step
taxiing is great when conditions permit it but remember to get off the step
in time to let your engine properly cool.
Skis are probably the easiest thing to fly... as long as you know there are
no white out drifts, rocks or moose below you. Most ski planes are
conventional gear but there are a few tricycle gear ski planes as well. The
CH701, DHC-6 twin otter and the Challenger are three that come to mind. I
only mention the otter because it's a dream of mine If you do come
across one of those white out drifts you will want to have your skis on
conventional gear.... I had a friend who hit one in a C180. He actually
flew the plane away! A nose ski would have resulted in so much crumpled
aluminium foil on the end of a pretzel that used to be a prop. Back to skis
being easier to fly than wheels.. The skis will try to keep the plane
straight on the ground that obviously reduces the chances of ground looping.
Danger results from hidden obstacles that you may hit on the ground. Boy do
I have a good story on that but I'll hold it for another time.
Noel
--
| - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________ Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats |
|
Back to top |
|
![](templates/Matronics/images/spacer.gif) |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|