Beautiful explanation, Bill. Thanks. Syd
On Feb 7, 2009, at 1:36 AM, William R. Bayne wrote: > > Hi Tom, > > I seem to recall that Erco stopped installing the nose gear fairing > with the Model G. > > The snubber cable was a M10 Cadet innovation which keeps the nose > strut from fully > extending. That's fine because the Mooney has rudder pedals and a > large 5.63 sq. ft. > rudder swinging 26º left and right that is effective at low speed to > compensate for earlier > loss of nose gear steering authority taking off and delayed > availability of ground steering > authority when landing, particularly when operating in crosswinds. > > Skyport sells the M10 snubber cable, and likely provides necessary > paperwork for such > installation to be "legal". Because the nose gear fairing is unable > to assume its proper > position with a snubber cable, it would act as an air scoop if left > in place. Because the > nose strut cannot extend fully with a snubber, the rubber bumper on > the scissors (or > "nutcracker" also becomes redundant. > > I am not a fan of this modification for the following reasons: > > 1. Nose strut oleo action (shock absorption) is reduced as > extension is reduced. > > 2. The snubber raises cruise position of the nose wheel relative to > the air physically > accelerated by the propeller outward and behind the actual prop arc, > sometimes referred > to as "propwash". Induced drag is increased in direct proportion to > any interference to > the smooth transition of "propwash" to horizontal air flow. The > speed penalty to remove > the fairing and install a snubber is 1-2 mph, likely more for coupes > swinging 73" and 74" > props. Comparisons with and without are infinitely simpler for > those with GPS. > > 3. Fred Weick intended that nose wheel steering authority extend as > far as possible into > the takeoff and be available as early as possible when landing. > Ercoupe rudders of 6 sq. > ft. total area, each moving 20º outward but only 3º inward are not > very effective landing or > taking off at "minimum speed", so the extended nose wheel steering > authority and the > wing's angle to the relative wind (tail height) were materially > essential to the Ercoupe's > demonstrated ability to predictably and safely cope with high > crosswinds with a proficient > pilot at the controls. > > Regards, > > William R. Bayne > .____|-(o)-|____. > (Copyright 2009) > > -- > > On Feb 6, 2009, at 20:27, THOMAS COOK wrote: > >> A question?? I can't find any documentation pertaining to the >> removal of the nose gear fairing or the addition of the snubber >> cable. Is this a legal change to the 415-C and where do I find the >> documentation?? >> I'd appreciate any help.. >> >> Tom Couper 3989H
