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Re: Taildragger conversion

Subject: Re: Taildragger conversion
From: Garry Stout <gstout@us.ibm.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 08:51:35
 03/23/2001 08:51:36 AM

Mike Cater wrote:
I have been waiting and hoping that someone would produce and market a
modification kit to convert our "classic" into a true "taildragger" with
two  wheels at the front. Has this happened? and if so could someone
pleaseprovide me with contact details.
The benefitswould seem to be,
1) Improved lateral stability on both take off and landing, due to the two
wheels.
2) Improved directionalstability on both take off and landing, due to  the
two wheels.
3) Improved taxiing and turningon the ground because differential  brakes
could be fitted.
4) Further improved lateral stability on take off because independent flap
adjustment would permit the use of lower flap givingconsequent improvement
in aileron control.
5) Improved rigging and derigging due to there being no need for a  "dolly"

Mike, there already is a Europa with all the positive characteristics
you're looking for.  It's called the Europa trigear.  The taildragger
concept only has value in a very limited set of circumstances, and the
world has basically rejected taildraggers in favor of tricycle gear.  Think
about it.....how many commercial, military, or certified general aviation
airplanes are being built today in the taildragger configuration.  Not
many, if any.  As to the monowheel, IMHO it looks goofey, is a handful to
manage on the ground, and has no inflight advantages whatsoever.  Why don't
you think about converting to a trigear as so many mono owners already have
done?

Regards,
Garry
AT&T District Manager, CFO
(813) 878-3929
FAX (813) 878-5651, Internet ID Garrys@att.com



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