Earthstar Forums

Folks,

Do any of you Earthstar pilots have comments about the takeoff and landing experiences in regard to the low ground clearance of the landing gear? In watching videos (as well as looking at photos of the airframe), it appears a high angle of attack during takeoff or landing may not be possible because the tail is very close to the ground. Perhaps this is a non issue but I thought I would ask those who fly one.

Skot

Hi Skot
Go into the photo section under "Canadian gull" and look at the picture called "Big brother comes to visit".
You will see my JT2 and the Odyssey in the foreground. It appears to me that sitting level on the ground the Odyssey angle of attack is steeper than my JT2. Therefore I assume Mark has built in an easier rotation because of the angle.
My JT2 seems to need a lot of airspeed to rotate. Mark said that control cables to the elevator are probably too loose giving some slack when I rotate. I am about to check this.
I never touch the tail wheel when I rotate or when I land.
So I don't think your observations are an issue at all. Perhaps Mark can comment further.
Fred

on occassion, if I really try to bring my airplane in and land it super
slow, I will hit my tail wheel. It is the only design flaw I have found on
my JT2.

With full flaps I can safely rotate my JT2 at 30 mph. Easily rotate w/ no
flaps at 45 to 50 mph. I have never hit the aircraft tailwheel at rotation.

I have large tires on all three wheels which gives me more ground clearance.
I'm working with Mark to have two sets of wheels, small for normal flying,
big for backcountry flying (landing on sandbars and rough strips).

_____

From: Earthstar_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Earthstar_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Fred
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 5:38
To: Earthstar_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Earthstar_Aircraft] Re: Landing Gear & Ground Clearance?




Hi Skot
Go into the photo section under "Canadian gull" and look at the picture
called "Big brother comes to visit".
You will see my JT2 and the Odyssey in the foreground. It appears to me that
sitting level on the ground the Odyssey angle of attack is steeper than my
JT2. Therefore I assume Mark has built in an easier rotation because of the
angle.
My JT2 seems to need a lot of airspeed to rotate. Mark said that control
cables to the elevator are probably too loose giving some slack when I
rotate. I am about to check this.
I never touch the tail wheel when I rotate or when I land.
So I don't think your observations are an issue at all. Perhaps Mark can
comment further.
Fred

--- In Earthstar_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:Earthstar_Aircraft%40yahoogroups.com> , "Skot" <SWeidemann@...>
wrote:
>
> Folks,
>
> Do any of you Earthstar pilots have comments about the takeoff and landing
experiences in regard to the low ground clearance of the landing gear? In
watching videos (as well as looking at photos of the airframe), it appears a
high angle of attack during takeoff or landing may not be possible because
the tail is very close to the ground. Perhaps this is a non issue but I
thought I would ask those who fly one.
>
> Skot
>




_____


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_____

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My .02 here,

My Gull 2000 sits even closer to the ground, as the previous owner changed the tires from the 4.00 X 6 to the 13-5 X 6, which is lower and wider, but 4-ply. I've replaced them with the same size when they wore out.

As to rotation speed, the wing size and gross weight affects the lift-off and landing speeds. My plane is 446lbs empty, and 691lbs with full fuel (10 gallons) and me, and my lift-off speed is more like 60mph with no-flaps, and close to that at landing, even with two notches of flaps. The trick for me is to keep the flare flat as possible, because when I come in steep and slower, the tail wheel may hit first in the flare, which has been no big deal, but doesn't look pretty. Taller tires will help some, but mostly landing technique. You have to keep the speed up right through the round-out, it will quit flying and drop in, (and yes, I've done that). But you know what, these planes aren't ultralights anymore, and if I can go better than 120mph wide open, and cruise at an easy 100mph, I'm quite happy. The short 20' wing gives us fighter like manuevering, which coming from Cessna's and old draggy ultralights, makes me smile.

kb

In a message dated 2/7/2011 4:54:56 AM Pacific Standard Time,
SWeidemann@aol.com writes:

Folks,

Do any of you Earthstar pilots have comments about the takeoff and landing
experiences in regard to the low ground clearance of the landing gear? In
watching videos (as well as looking at photos of the airframe), it appears
a high angle of attack during takeoff or landing may not be possible
because the tail is very close to the ground. Perhaps this is a non issue but I
thought I would ask those who fly one.

Skot




Hi Skot
Hopefully others will comment on this, I Designed the plane to the same
standards as Cessna, Piper and all. The angle of attack is limited by the tail
as it is on all airplanes. Tail draggers are even more limited. I have
struck the tail on landing or take off some times but not any more than any
other planes that I have flown. Watching my take off of the turbo HKS powered
Odyssey at Oshkosh shows numerous tail strikes on rotation for take off.
this is due to the fact that HKS wanted me to show its Max performance. In a
normal take off I never strike the tail. Although it can be done. The tail
wheel works well.
Happy Flying
Mark

I should mention that I have a 28 ft. wing which I'm sure reduces my
rotation speed. -Alan

_____

Hi Allen
I sure would like to see your JT2. Can you post some pictures please.
Thanks
Fred

I am glad you mentioned that you have a 28 ft wing. I have a 24ft wing and with the first flap setting my rotation is at 55-60 mph.But I have a feeling my control cables are too loose.
Fred

Fred,

Mark showed me how to check for proper tension without another person helping. Just pull the stick back and secure snugly with the seatbelt, then go back and see how much play there is. Mine was quite sloppy from the previous owner(s), and I took up the slack with the turnbuckles under the seat. They had to be un-safteywired first, but just a few turns gave the cables the low twang sound that I recognize now, and the change helped a lot. Because of my 20' wing, it still comes in hotter than the 24' or 28' wing, but hey, it turns on a dime in the air. and I'm used to it now. I can't imagine a 2-place with two people inside with a 20' wing, things must happen even faster.

kb

Thanks Kess
I may be able to try that tonight.
Fred