Chord starting to show on Bushwheel's ...

txflyer

txflyer

En-Route
Joined
May 3, 2013
Messages
4,509
Location
Wild Blue Yonder
Display Name
Fly it like you STOL it ♦
Home Airfield
Restricted
That blazing no flap landing the other day did it I guess.

They've been on over four years now, and I did rotate them once.

Can't remember if they can be retread, or if they're boat bumpers now ... :(
 
txflyer said:
That blazing no flap landing the other day did it I guess.

They've been on over four years now, and I did rotate them once.

Can't remember if they can be retread, or if they're boat bumpers now ... :(
Click to expand...

I never figured out why people want to land with no flaps or any faster than absolutely necessary, all it does is adds wear and tear and energy/damage should something go wrong. :dunno: I'm not sure if you can recap them or not. You could get some vulcanizing tape maybe and give them a couple of wraps and stick them in the oven...;):rolleyes:
 
If you have cord showing they are likely DOA to recap regardless of type
 
Henning said:
I never figured out why people want to land with no flaps or any faster than absolutely necessary, all it does is adds wear and tear and energy/damage should something go wrong. :dunno: I'm not sure if you can recap them or not. You could get some vulcanizing tape maybe and give them a couple of wraps and stick them in the oven...;):rolleyes:
Click to expand...


Life is a buffet. You telling me you only eat one thing day in and day out at a smorgasbord? I get it, kinetic energy and all. But ...

That's just ... boring ... man.

It was a beautiful wheelie with less stress than any three point. Cool day, no wind, on a 4000 foot runway. Greased it on, coasted down, let the tail down like an old man sitting in a bathtub. Even the FBO manager chimed in on the radio with "nice arrival." :wink2:
 
It was tissue paper thin to begin.
You would have had cord showing in another 3 landings no matter what.
Get the Dresser monster retreads. Best thing since sliced bread.
 
txflyer said:
Life is a buffet. You telling me you only eat one thing day in and day out at a smorgasbord? I get it, kinetic energy and all. But ...

That's just ... boring ... man.

It was a beautiful wheelie with less stress than any three point. Cool day, no wind, on a 4000 foot runway. Greased it on, coasted down, let the tail down like an old man sitting in a bathtub. Even the FBO manager chimed in on the radio with "nice arrival." :wink2:
Click to expand...

Boring is good in aviation, especially when making the air/earth interface. ;)
 
Henning said:
Boring is good in aviation, especially when making the air/earth interface. ;)
Click to expand...
Until the emergency happens and you're only proficient in one way to land...


...and that way doesn't work today.
 
timwinters said:
Until the emergency happens and you're only proficient in one way to land...


...and that way doesn't work today.
Click to expand...

When the emergency happens, you really want to be at the lowest speed possible. Smoking in for the landing is never the best answer.
 
Henning said:
When the emergency happens, you really want to be at the lowest speed possible. Smoking in for the landing is never the best answer.
Click to expand...

Well, technically not an emergency, but flaps DO occasionally fail to operate.

And there ARE times when less than full flaps are preferred.
 
I can't come up with a good reason, but sometimes landing with 20 or 30 degrees of flap feel's more stable and just as slow as 40 degrees.

40 degrees tends to 'plop' you down on the runway sometimes in my 180.

I've learned not to pull 40 degrees until very late in the approach, because you're going to come down quick. You can undershoot and need gobs of power to make it when you pull 40 too soon.
 
The guys around here running the bushwheels use the grass whenever possible.

Dan
 
FastEddieB said:
Only if you misjudge height.
Click to expand...


I don't think that's it. It's more like when the wing quits flying with 40 degrees out, it dumps lift quick. Ground effect dies instantly with 40 out.

20 or 30 degrees seems to give you more float. I'm talking my plane only.

I'll use 40 most of the time, especially very short grassy fields, but when I have 4000 feet of runway, 10, 20, or 30 works just fine. :)
 
If your 180's numbers are the same/similar to my 182 (straight tail) then the difference between 40* stall speed and 20 or 30 is only a few MPH. The world won't come to an end and you won't put any more stress/wear on your plane if you land with partial flaps...regardless of what the peanut gallery here says.

And if you tend to plop with 40* then you're likely doing the airframe a favor by not using full flaps, again, regardless of what the peanut gallery here says.

I always land with 40* but that's just personal preference.
 
The Maule tends to handle better in gusty crosswinds without flaps. It tends to get a little squirrelly at Vref with flaps.
 
txflyer said:
I don't think that's it. It's more like when the wing quits flying with 40 degrees out, it dumps lift quick. Ground effect dies instantly with 40 out.

20 or 30 degrees seems to give you more float. I'm talking my plane only.

I'll use 40 most of the time, especially very short grassy fields, but when I have 4000 feet of runway, 10, 20, or 30 works just fine. :)
Click to expand...

Well, then just expect your expensive tires to not last very long. What do those suckers cost anyway?
 
txflyer said:
I don't think that's it. It's more like when the wing quits flying with 40 degrees out, it dumps lift quick. Ground effect dies instantly with 40 out.
Click to expand...

Sure.

But if you're an inch in the air, as the wing dumps lift you'll gently go "chirp" and have a smooth, slow and safe landing.

It's only if the lift gets dumped and you're too high that the plane will drop in.

I'll stipulate that with the drag of full flaps things happen more quickly.

But it's still a skill we should all have. And probably did have for our Private checkrides.

You can still decide for yourself what you prefer. My mantra has always been "maximum flaps as consistent with conditions" and it's served me, and my students, well.
 
I wait until air starts showing. Then I think about replacement.

Many aircraft tires are six ply. You gotta count the cord ovals on the tire; 'one big circle, two just inside that, three is a wide oval patch, with a bit of rubber inside.'

You got two cords to go still.
 
As long as it's a minor chord, it's ok. But if it's a major chord, or, god forbid, a 7th chord, a blowout is imminent.
 
Here's what I got. And it's only on the left tire. I guess my foot's heavy. :confused:

H., I think they're about $1500 each if memory serves me well. I'm looking into the Gar-aero's on 10" rims. They're cheaper and last longer.





My toys... :goofy:

 
Last edited:
Nice 71 Challenger. Have you seen that rubber spray on TV where he seals up the screen door in the bottom of the dingy? Just spray a couple of layers of that on.
 
txflyer said:
I can't come up with a good reason, but sometimes landing with 20 or 30 degrees of flap feel's more stable and just as slow as 40 degrees.

40 degrees tends to 'plop' you down on the runway sometimes in my 180.

I've learned not to pull 40 degrees until very late in the approach, because you're going to come down quick. You can undershoot and need gobs of power to make it when you pull 40 too soon.
Click to expand...

I know what you are talking about and agree. Same with 30 deg in my -10. I made a couple of no flap landings tonight. I mix up most of my landings in various wind conditions so that I am prepared for most things that may occur. Yes, flap motor/main bus/alternator/battery failures do occur.
 
RV10flyer said:
I know what you are talking about and agree. Same with 30 deg in my -10. I made a couple of no flap landings tonight. I mix up most of my landings in various wind conditions so that I am prepared for most things that may occur. Yes, flap motor/main bus/alternator/battery failures do occur.
Click to expand...



Sometimes 20 or 30 just feels right. I can't explain it scientifically.

Hey, I got a question for you since you fly an RV. A bunch of RV's flew in today and I noticed every one of them parked their planes with the flaps fully deployed when they went in the cafe.

Is there a reason for this?
 
Henning said:
Nice 71 Challenger. Have you seen that rubber spray on TV where he seals up the screen door in the bottom of the dingy? Just spray a couple of layers of that on.
Click to expand...


I've read several posts on other sites about that, and some guys were saying spray them with Rhino bed liner, but until I see it in practice, I don't know.....

I'm worried there could be some chemical reaction that could mess them up.

I think I'm un-airworthy with chord showing ... I read that, but I don't know if it's true. It was just some guy spouting off on backcountry site.
 
txflyer said:
I've read several posts on other sites about that, and some guys were saying spray them with Rhino bed liner, but until I see it in practice, I don't know.....

I'm worried there could be some chemical reaction that could mess them up.

I think I'm un-airworthy with chord showing ... I read that, but I don't know if it's true. It was just some guy spouting off on backcountry site.
Click to expand...

Rhinoliner is polyurethane, I don't think it will screw them up, but I'm not sure of the bonding quality, should be ok though.

I'm not sure about unairworthy, but I'd say you're pretty close to ungroundworthy.:D problem with those big tires on that plane is if you blow it, you're gonna likely do a good bit of damage if it happens at speed. Just hope your insurance doesn't find out about this thread then.:eek:
 
txflyer said:
Sometimes 20 or 30 just feels right. I can't explain it scientifically.

Hey, I got a question for you since you fly an RV. A bunch of RV's flew in today and I noticed every one of them parked their planes with the flaps fully deployed when they went in the cafe.

Is there a reason for this?
Click to expand...

After landing we always keep ours down too unless taxiing on gravely pavement or using more than normal taxiing rpm(740-1000). We do this to lessen the chance of someone stepping on the flap, catching a toe underneath the trailing edge and to lessen flap motor/bushing wear.
 
RV10flyer said:
After landing we always keep ours down too unless taxiing on gravely pavement or using more than normal taxiing rpm(740-1000). We do this to lessen the chance of someone stepping on the flap, catching a toe underneath the trailing edge and to lessen flap motor/bushing wear.
Click to expand...


Got it. Makes sense.

I don't have to worry about flap motors.

Until my right arm goes bad ..... :D
 
Unless you put the flaps down for take off, I don't see where there's a difference on the flap motors.
 
Henning said:
Rhinoliner is polyurethane, I don't think it will screw them up, but I'm not sure of the bonding quality, should be ok though.

I'm not sure about unairworthy, but I'd say you're pretty close to ungroundworthy.:D problem with those big tires on that plane is if you blow it, you're gonna likely do a good bit of damage if it happens at speed. Just hope your insurance doesn't find out about this thread then.:eek:
Click to expand...


I have enjoyed the Bushwheel's and will probably spring for another pair.

They unleash the beast that the skywagon should be. And I'm in and out of ranch strips, so they fit my mission.

I am going to go easy on them and start landing in the grass when I can, and look into coating them with something.
 
Henning said:
Unless you put the flaps down for take off, I don't see where there's a difference on the flap motors.
Click to expand...

Even then...

In the typical Cessna, the flap motor outlasts the rest of the airplane. Even when used for flight training.

Dan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top