> <ami@mcfadyean.freeserve.co.uk>
>
> Your 11" or 12" of prop clearance will reduce to about 4" in the level
> attitude. A flat tyre will knock out close to another 4", which doesn't
> leave much allowance for fully bottoming the landing gear and maintaining
> compliance with even the second part of the JAR requirement.
Duncan
Fair point regarding JAR requirement but not sure where your observations
lead. Does a Monowheel Aircraft need revised operating procedures. i.e. type
of Runway surface, suspension 'stops in', revised suspension your opinion?
My observations have been that most Monowheel Pilots land and takeoff with
tail wheel 'held down' and by the time the aircraft is 'flying' or under
full authority of controls the Aircraft has lift and is starting to increase
this Prop Tip to ground clearance as it enters flight and relieves load on
undercarriage. A bump, pot hole etc. can and does certainly affect this
clearance but that condition is common to all configurations.
The Tri-gear or conventional configuration suffer similarly to some extent.
Tri gear especially during taxiing on rough grass, Conventional probably not
so badly due to increased margin of clearance and a more rigid 'action'.
I measured my Trigear and with ground clearance and static measures 270 mm.
The 64" prop certainly looks OK for clearance at first sight but in
agreement with you certainly has every opportunity to get grounded if not
handled with some thought based on local conditions and surface type.
Perhaps ensuring Tyre pressure, Bungee tension, AUW conditions and any other
mitigating operating conditions can minimise risk.
>
> People in glass houses shouldn't light blue touch paper.!
Not sure glass houses or blue touch paper are pertinent to this discussion!
Just some dialogue between this group to assess exactly why occasionally
some poor devil has to purchase new Prop blades. My reaction was that Nigel
Graham who initially broached this subject was observing maybe one of the
aggravating conditions that lead to a less than perfect landing creating
expensive and frustrating expense. A conventional gear Europa does seem to
have a Prop clearance advantage and perhaps that observation was all that is
intended. 'You makes your choice and suffer any consequences'.
In observation of Monowheel Europa. The low ground line and single wheel
action with Tundra tyre certainly gives comfort if forced landing only
available on rough terrain.
Thank God the ground phase is so short for Europa's of whatever type and
that those awkward moments that are waiting for us all in any aircraft are
quickly dispelled once airborne!
Kind Regards
Gerry
Gerry Holland
Europa 384
G-FIZY
+44 7808 402404
gnholland@onetel.com
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