"the Ercoupe safety record would be improved if every nose gear was properly airworthy (without any tendency to shimmy or wobble)"
I can only agree, William. Hartmut To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 17:04:11 -0600 Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Observation on snubber cable versus drag Hi Fred, Since you tried removing the snubber for half a year, it is undeniable that you had strongly "imprinted" the effect(s) of the snubber into your "comfort zone". I don't believe anyone could convincingly prove that a coupe with a snubber in the hands of a pilot with meaningful coupe crosswind experience is less safe than one without a snubber. Accordingly, others have suggested an "each to his own preference" approach to this subject in the past. I continue to disagree. While any difference in oleo function or steering authority is unlikely to ever cause a pilot of your experience any grief, in your example I am uncomfortable with the apparent conclusion that a snubber is an appropriate response to nose strut "wobble". Such a latent defect is not one I would want to use a snubber to suppress (and ignore). My real concern is coupe newbies. All are not equal in talent. Operating a coupe with a snubber while initially gaining said "meaningful crosswind experience" involves added risk. Those "more gifted" with intuitional pilot skills are unaffected. "Built-in safety" margins are less for the "less gifted". I remain unaware of any genuine performance or safety advantage resulting from the installation of a snubber cable on any Ercoupe in good condition. To put it another way (and to agree with Hartmut): If it ain't broke, don't 'fix it'. My personal opinion is that the Ercoupe safety record would be improved if every nose gear was properly airworthy (without any tendency to shimmy or wobble) and non-original snubbers were removed upon change of owner. Regards William R. Bayne .____|-(o)-|____. (Copyright 2009) -- On Nov 1, 2009, at 13:32, [email protected] wrote: When I purchased my Coupe 4 years ago, it was slug slow (88 mph). On Sid's recommendation I took off the cup landing lights on the landing gear and gained 5 mph, took off the tube gas caps on the wings and gained another 2 mph. I was then up to 95 mph and enjoying the extra speed. We then had a long chat about the snubber cable. I took it off and gained another 2 mph, but I didn't like the way it landed. The nose wheel hits much earlier (and faster) and it would have a tendency to wobble. It took more work to make my landings feel good and I gave up on the snubber removal after 6 months. I don't have the faring on the nose but since I don't like the feel of no snubber landings, I don't plan on trying that one. Sid is right, it does make for more speed but at a price. I still like the snubber cable for holding the nose wheel off the runway longer. Fred Lamkey _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live: Make it easier for your friends to see what you’re up to on Facebook. http://www.microsoft.com/middleeast/windows/windowslive/see-it-in-action/social-network-basics.aspx?ocid=PID23461::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-xm:SI_SB_2:092009
