andrew(at)nzactive.com
Guest
|
 Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 12:37 pm Post subject: A cry for help from NZ! |
 |
|
Yep. Proceeding as you suggest 
Thx for the help. Sorry about usual delay. Emails come in and disappear into the swampage, but it's kind of you to respond. Those gussets are just what I need.
Andrew
From: owner-rocket-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rocket-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Fred Weaver
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 10:01 AM
To: rocket-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: Re: A cry for help from NZ!
You would be well advised to get a Tailwheel assembly from Vince Frazier. Once that's in place, you might start thinking about some might fine Gussets on your Engine Mount. Stop the cracks before they appear.
Weav
ACTIVE NZ - Andrew wrote: [quote] Hi Smokey! Thanks for the email, and sorry about the delay in responding. I'm finally clearing the backlog of helpful emails I received on the subject of my poor ole AOG Rocket, which is still AOG due to a few logistical issues. I have been travelling out of the country, but while I was away, a VERY kind reader on the list sent me down a tailwheel spring that he had lying around, unused. All the way to New Zealand - it was in NZ before I was! He wouldn't even take money. Aren't some people nice? (I'm gonna insist on the money, of course.) So I'll be trying to get my Rocket back in the air on Monday.
I'm going to fit a standard RV-4 setup to get me going, but I really like the idea of the dual fork tailwheel, and any other ruggedizing measures I can undertake. As for the AOA indicator, that sounds GREAT. This is one of those, um, sense over ego issues, and I think, as ever, sense should win here. The neighbours round here are insane, so I sometimes have to land downwind for noise abatement. Needless to say I fly slow, power-on approaches, and usually do a tail low wheeler, with some pretty aggressive braking, cos I find the ole Rocket doesn't brake nearly as well with the tailwheel down. Seems to work. But having a more scientific sense of my AoA, in addition to the ususal cues, can only be a good thing. I'll get one, for sure. Is it a biggie to fit?
And, last dumb question, I've broken my landing gear/engine mount three times now, albeit in 600 hours. (Did I mention my strip exactly flat? It makes judging the touchdown a little tricky, or maybe I just didn't pay enough attention at pilot school We keep welding it up, and it keeps breaking. I'm sure Mr RV wouldn't be too happy to see what has become of his original creation, but the fact is, the HRII makes a damn fine bush aircraft. So long as you don't mind welding! Have you ever heard of a stronger engine mount available anywhere???
Andrew
From: owner-rocket-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-rocket-list-server(at)matronics.com) [mailto:owner-rocket-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-rocket-list-server(at)matronics.com)] On Behalf Of Rob Ray
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 3:46 AM
To: rocket-list(at)matronics.com (rocket-list(at)matronics.com)
Subject: Re: A cry for help from NZ!
Andrew,
I too operate my Rocket off a short, rough turf strip with the occasional fire ant mound and gopher hole. A cub actually broke a tailspring here, not an easy task. I too replaced my original tail spring installed by the builder in 96', fortunately before it snapped off from an elongated hole and crack. I turned my new tail spring end on a lathe slightly prior to installing the assembly to remove the taper where the assembly slides on. I also drilled two small holes rather than one large one through the spring to hold the assembly on. If your prior owner drilled a large hole or "slammed" the tailwheel down a few times, it might have stressed it. Either way, the fix will exceed your expectations.
On my strip, I rarely three point land my Rocket in lieu of wheels landings, although I fly a three point approach and ease it up on the mains at touchdown. My 380X150X5 Desser tires have helped immensely along with my API dual fork tailwheel. As mentioned before, Vince's heavy duty tailwheel assembly and the Bell work well too.
Something else I really like for STOL operations is my Lift Reserve AOA indicator. It lets you fly final at "max performance" safely. My normal approach groundspeed is 57-59 knots, something I'm sure you can appreciate.
Fair Dinkum!
Smokey
HR2
--- On Mon, 2/9/09, Larry Schneider <lschneider39(at)cox.net> (lschneider39(at)cox.net) wrote:
[quote]From: Larry Schneider <lschneider39(at)cox.net> (lschneider39(at)cox.net)
Subject: Re: A cry for help from NZ!
To: rocket-list(at)matronics.com (rocket-list(at)matronics.com)
Date: Monday, February 9, 2009, 3:32 PM
[quote]--> Rocket-List message posted by: "Larry Schneider" <lschneider39(at)cox.net> (lschneider39(at)cox.net) Fred, You sure are dating yourself, I remember now, Thanks. )) ---
| | - The Matronics Rocket-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?Rocket-List |
|
|
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
