Fox5flyer
Guest
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 Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:39 am Post subject: Trike vs tailwheel |
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| Quote: |
>If I remember correctly, the tricycle gear, along with a steering wheel
>instead of a stick, came along because the industry was trying to make
>airplanes like cars, easy to "drive", therefore easier to sell. Nothing
>more than that.
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Michael sez:
| Quote: |
Didn't both of those things originate with airline and military aircraft?
Hardly seems like those markets would care about being car-like. In heavy
aircraft like bombers and airliners, being able to easily place two hands
on the yoke would allow more muscle for control movements. I once had a
ride in a Ford Tri-motor and the pilot told me that the plane is very
heavy in roll--sometimes help from the copilot is necessary.
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Good point Michael. You're probably correct regarding commercial and
military aircraft, but I was referring to general aviation. I read an
article a very long time ago about how the manufacturers were trying to
market their airplanes to be so simple to fly that one could get in and fly
like they are driving a car, hense the steering and nose wheels, Aerocar,
and other things. Using a steering wheel also cleared up the floor and
allowed entry and exit easier which later became the industry standard.
Eventually the nose wheel also took over as it was felt that becasue of the
nose wheel being in front of the CG, it was genuinely easier which made it
safer. I'm sure that there were other things also and not all chose to go
this route, but that was what I read. Of course, just because it's in
writing does not make it true, as is the internet, right on down to this
List. Personally, I prefer the tailwheel in my Kitfox because I like the
way it looks.
| Quote: | As with all things in aviation (and life, for that matter), everything is
a compromise. Choices between yokes and sticks, nose wheels and tail
wheels, etc., all provide fertile ground for the aircraft designer's
imagination.
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..and discussion. I think that in marketing in any field, it's not so much
about compromise, but about what the manufacturer thinks the buyers will
prefer and pay for.
| Quote: |
What does all this have to do with floats and exhaust pipes again? 
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Nothing. I guess we both failed to change the subject line.
Deke Morisse
Mikado Michigan
S5/Subaru/CAP 402+ TT
"The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress."
- Joseph Joubert
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