G'day all,
It seems from these letters and conversations that the monowheel is a
bit of a handful on the ground. Could this be because the main wheel is
too far in front of the centre of gravity?
Clearly the wheel position is a compromise between as near to the c of g
for best stability on the ground, and sufficiently forward to prevent
digging the prop into the ground during engine runups or braking. The
tail of the monowheel feels fairly heavy on the ground which suggests
that the wheel is fairly far forward.
About those "trainer wheels". They are untidy, limit wing down
approaches, create some drag, even when "retracted" and prevent flap
settings other than fully down. Some of the gliders which I fly have
wheels in the wingtips. Suitable wheels embedded in downturned wing
tips should allow the Europa to run on the main wheel and one wing!
Yes, unusual, but it solves some of the objections to the "trainer
wheels" and, with braking, may allow more directional control and
tighter turns on the ground. Pilots of Rutan's motor glider claim to be
able to taxi it on the main wheel only by balancing it like a bicycle.
The extra weight (if any) on the wing tips would also relieve in flight
stress at the wing roots.
But is the wing structure strong enough for such wing tips to be fitted?
How would the wing aerodynamics be affected?
And Pelicans hang their legs down to provide air-brakes on approach to
landing.
John Anselmi, #430.
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