Earthstar Forums

I thought someone must have tried this. What size is your larger nose tire? How much length did you add to the fiberglass struts? That is the kind of information I'm really looking for.

I am not really concerned about the takeoff DISTANCE so much as the SPEED (Rough ground considerations.) My J model has the 20 ft wing, and I see 55 to 60 mph indicated before the nose will come off at half flaps. 35 MPH would be delightful, but with my short wing I'm sure I’ll never see that. Once off the climb rate and angle are great with my 503 and IVO prop. I don't feel a need for more thrust. In fact, it is the thrust combined with the high thrust line that makes the rotation speed so high. The nose is pushed down onto the ground at full power. It is possible to accelerate at full power, and before the normal rotation speed, pull the power back, and lift off. Kind of a silly dance, but it shows the effect of the high thrust line.

My airplane weighs 385 lbs, so my wing loading is about the same as yours. Light is always good.

Riley I fly a Gull 2000 with a 20 ft wing and my buddy has a J with a 24 ft wing. There is a 10 mph difference in stall speeds between us. My 20 ft wing stalls at 45 mph and his somewhere in the mid 30s. Your stall speed must be similar to mine so lifting off at 35mph is way to slow.

Mike S

Yep, that agrees with what I'm seeing. As I said, I don't expect anywhere near 35 mph. Sure would like less than 60, though. That is the speed an RV-9A rotates at.

Mine likes 60 as well. I have tried to lift off slower but it just runs along on the mains with the nose wheel
off the ground until it hits close to 60mph making my take off roll even longer.
Now I just wait it out and start pulling the nose up at 55.


Mike S



Yep, that agrees with what I'm seeing. As I said, I don't expect anywhere near 35 mph. Sure would like less than 60, though. That is the speed an RV-9A rotates at.

water, ~12qt/day, <1.5qt/hr is the maximum intake for extremely fit humans. i think one can take any weight loss slope as comfortably

The Gull's performance in Leadville airfield, Colorado (9927') would be Niice someday.

2 cents,

rc

water, ~12qt/day, <1.5qt/hr is the maximum intake for extremely fit humans. i think one can take any weight loss slope as comfortably

The Gull's performance in Leadville airfield, Colorado (9927') would be Niice someday.

2 cents,

rc

Okay, thanks, Mike, that is good information. From the answers I've received, I may decide it is not worth experimenting with. Just thinking about her characteristics, why they are that way, and whether a small change in the gear would affect it much. It is not as if I am going into super short, rugged strips.

We all want an airplane that can do everything well, but the only way to achieve that is by owning three different types. Maybe we need Rahul to design us a Thunder Gull with telescoping wings!

I know Mark has done a lot of research and experimentation to get things just the way he wants it........ much more than most designers. The Thunder Gull is a good balance of fun, economy, and capabilities.

Riley

I fly off a rough grass strip as well. The only solution as I see it is a bigger wing. My buddies J with the 24 ft wing leaves the ground way sooner and climbs substantially better.

Mike

I'd love to have the 24 ft wing.

Questar makes Niice small telescopes, it was on the Apollo missions, Arthur C Clarke, Marlon Brando had one too; would go nicely with an Earthstar ;)