Aerobatics

[FunkyMonkey]

Whats the general opinion on aerobatics in a T? I dont mean high G maneuvers but things like loops, immelmens, or rolls. Does anybody do that kind of stuff in their T? What bothers me is that the aircraft is over 60 years old but i've read on the board that some people do spin them.

[tim]

Re: Aerobatics

bob wagstaff and u can reach him bettween 9am to 5 pm monday through saturday 281-471-1188

he built one once and flew it for a long time he can give you some awnsers

[crispy critter]

Re: Aerobatics

Whats the general opinion on aerobatics in a T? I dont mean high G maneuvers but things like loops, immelmens, or rolls. Does anybody do that kind of stuff in their T? What bothers me is that the aircraft is over 60 years old but i've read on the board that some people do spin them.

They do great loops,barrel rolls,hammerheads, and they spin like a top! I have done them in a long wing t-craft and as long as you are in practice the airplane does them well. It doesn't like to aileron or slow roll real very easy without putting a little negitive G's on her but she does great barrel rolls.
As for doing them in your t-craft...that is a decision only you can feel comfortable with. If you have a t-craft carrying the original spars then you might think twice,however if those spars have been properly cared for,look good ,or have been replace recently then that's still another decision for you to make. Personally if I had a t-craft that the spars looked bad enough that I wouldn't feel comfortable doing any of the things above...then the airplane should be grounded on the spot until the spars could be replaced simply because all of those manuvers mentioned above are 1.5 - 2 "G" manuvers. If your bird won't take that then it's time to park it.

[ClipWing_T]

Re: Aerobatics

I do the same in my J-5 .........2.5 g tops..........The REAL problem
is when you do it too low !..........Or screw up and fall out and pull
some hard G's ......And your right if it won't take 2.5 or even more
park and repair it !

[FunkyMonkey]

Re: Aerobatics

How do you know how many g's your pulling? do you guys have g meters installed?

[crispy critter]

Re: Aerobatics

If you can't at least judge 2 G's without a meter then maybe you should also get some training or at least not be doing acro in a t-craft. Sorry,I'm not trying to be a smart ass...just telling it like I see it.

[Pearson]

Re: Aerobatics

Roll into a coordinated 60 degree banked turn, maintain altitude and you should be at 2Gs.

[tim]

Re: Aerobatics

ya id just go and rent a citabria and do the tranning

[FunkyMonkey]

Re: Aerobatics

Smart ass advice always appreciated

[crispy critter]

Re: Aerobatics

Smart ass advice always appreciated

Your Welcome,lol

[Acroeric]

Re: Aerobatics

I routinely do light acro in my BC12-D-85. (loops, rolls, spins, hammers, 1/2 cubans etc) and even hope to use it for some airshow work soon ;-) It has original spars but it was totally restored in 1999 and they looked wonderful.

The thing to remember here is that the Tcraft is not the right airplane to learn acro in. It is a great airplane to do the graceful stuff in once you have experience. A loop can be performed at 2.5 - 3 G but if you screw up that can easilly become 4 or more. A roll can also be safely done at 1 g but lots of planes smack the ground when a newbie acro pilot chickens out at the 1/2 roll point and pulls out overspeeding and G'ing the airplane. The roll rate is really slow- it takes total commitment to the roll which is very difficult- especially when you do not pitch up enough on entry.

Like an idiot I taught myself acro (in a clipwing T)- I flew RC airplanes for many years and that probably saved my life- but I still screwed up on occasion. Once I botched a hammerhead and did a tail slide-the stick came out of my hand- how the control surfaces stayed on the airplane is still a mystery but I learned and was albe to live through it.

As always- the recommendation here is to get some training 1st.

[Pearson]

Re: Aerobatics

How do you know how many g's your pulling? do you guys have g meters installed?

I don't know if this is considered "smart ass advise", but I know it is a fact. At a 60 degree bank angle you are pulling two Gs. That should give you at least a starting point for judging how many Gs you are pulling at other times.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Aerobatics

I wonder how many Gs I pull doing a thumpy landing? These planes are built better than me, although your mileage may vary.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[Chet Peek]

Re: Aerobatics

Charles Rooks restored a DC-65 (like mine) and had a video made a while back showing all the maneuvers including 5 turn spins. Haven't heard from him for a while, but his E-Mail used to be [email protected].

Spins, loops and even snap (flick) rolls are no big deal, will impress the passenger and not pull many G's. But then, at age 86, perhaps I've lost some of my daring.

Chet Peek

[flyguy]

Re: Aerobatics

Chet, or anyone,
What is the normal entry speed for a BC12 for a loop. I have heard that they will loop from cruise. I have a -85 with a more or less standard prop.
Darryl