Covered gear verses uncovered gear

[cvavon]

Tribe i see that some tcrafts mostly in Ak are flying with the gear legs uncovered and would like some input on this as far as the flying characteristics, pros and cons chuck

[Robert Lees]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

Supercub.org would offer better response than I can, but my initial reply would be to make it easier to inspect for damage /repair. Why bother covering when you need to rip it off every annual to check?

[cvavon]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

thanks Robert was more interested in how it will fly with it uncovered . But the idea of inspection makes a good point . I plan to do some back country flying and yes the cubs don't cover the gears on most of them . Next c85/o200 engine and VG kit and gap seals

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

Gives them a faster roll rate. maybe a bit more drag. (

[Robert Lees]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

I doubt you would see any difference in flying characteristics..a few mph off top speed perhaps. Who's in a hurry anyway?

[cvavon]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

Robert there is a lot to be said about LOW and SLOW I'M 62 and retired OLD and SLOW Forrest the bush wheels did not effect the cruse hardly maybe 2to3 mph the gear can't be too much

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

It would be really fun to run some tests. I am betting the place you would see a difference would be in cruise (minor) and the drag in a slip.
Anybody ever put an air data vane test probe on the struts of a Taylorcraft? They look like a long tube, outside the prop arc, hung from the struts with two little wind vanes and pressure sensors on it. It would be a blast to get actual NUMBERS for the performance points in our planes. Anyone know the REAL minimum sink speed for their plane? Me neither.
Hank

[Robert Lees]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

I...Anyone know the REAL minimum sink speed for their plane? Me neither.
Hank

I know the max sink rate though











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ASIDE: I've just noticed Bob's new smilie: This will be Alfred, so the "properties" tell me.

hound

[cvavon]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

Rob is that like hard right rudder a lot of left aileron and down like an elevator and snap it straight at the pavement and land accordingly I LOVE SLIPS

[swoeric]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

as for the gears dont expect to see any change even if you tested same day same weather. we have enough variables. I thought id see a difference going from 6-6 to 8.50's and there wasnt any cruise difference really. as for the doors on or off slip or no slip again no real change at all. in perfectly straight smooth air long cruise maybe 1-1.5 mph. if its warm enough to fly with out doors the cooling factor way out weighs the drag. i imagine uncovered gears will fall inbetween big tires and no doors. brandon still gets 120 + kts in super chub with uncovered gears.

[cvavon]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

Thanks Eric as you can see i did the 26in bush wheels and love them as you said not much difference at cruse maybe 1to 2 mph as far as the gear my gear covering is not that good i think will cut it off Hay are you going to west Tn supper cub flyin if so your welcome to stop by here on the way fuel 5.23 gl hanger tools shower place to sleep take care Chuck

[swoeric]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

Im trying to make that e tn flyin. hoping work lets up so i can. i think it will be a great time. so have you noticed when they are aired down how those guys salvage horrible approaches. those tires just soak up everything. I plan on putting the vg's on then finding my deck angle it 60-80% power and stall. I hope that the extra leg needed will be less than 6 inches. what is your new liftoff speed

[cvavon]

Re: Covered gear verses uncovered gear

it gets lite at about 45 flys at 50 tail up almost as quick as you throttle up we plan on leaving thurs morning if you can get out wed fly this far and head up to e tn thurs morning from hear

the tires are SOooooooooo grate if you get out for the flyin you need to try them fly my plane see what you think