Just 2 notes on the spacers: First, if you raise the nose you have to raise the mains an equal (roughly) amount in order to get the plane "level" again. When you're done, the whole plane (tail included) will be higher than it was to start, so the 75" measurement is no longer valid. Close, but not exact.
Second, it is my belief that the Bellville springs do not compensate for the bigger nose wheel, and likely were not intended to. The free length of a Bellville assembly is the same as the free length of a rubber assembly, so, only if there were a significant difference in spring rates between the two would the attitude be any different. John Cooper, A&P Skyport Services PO Box 249 4996 Delaware Tnpk Rensselaerville, NY 12147 518 797-3064 Fax 518 797-3865 www.skyportservices.net -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of kgassert Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 9:29 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Re: Landing gear spacers approval Yes it does matter. The book says 75 inches and it just so works out that the sills are level and the tail will be that height with the 5" original nose wheel. Replace the nose with a dual fork and 6" tire and now it is not level and the tail is low. Better get some spacers in the gear whether you want to go through any approval on them or not. Get the sills level and chances are the tail will be back at 75". If the tail is a bit taller that would be better then lower. Take off or land in a good cross wind with a low tail and you will find out why. I know it has been customary to get field approval on these spacers but I have to question the need to get approval on a benign spacer that is nothing more then a thick washer that slips in the gear leg and has no effect on flying characteristics. I say it is unacceptable not to install them and return that tail to the proper height per the book because the aircraft is not is proper rig unless you do. This to me does not look to be a major repair or modification. Kevin --- In [email protected], [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > In a message dated 5/1/2007 3:21:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > I did find the tail height listed in the Service Manual on the diagram on > page 8 and on the Specifications page, page 9. In both places, height (at > tail) is listed as 6 feet 3 inches. > > > Hello All, Let's try to put tail height to rest. If the landing gear is > maintained properly, the > aircraft has not been bent and all modifications and alterations were > properly approved it > don't matter how tall the tail is. Any opposition? > John > > PS No comments from me on landing characteristics as I have not flown one > yet. > > > > ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. > Yahoo! Groups Links
