Will a version of the spring gear ever be developed for the PA-18?
Will a version of the spring gear ever be developed for the PA-18?
Last edited by Amre2me2; 12-29-2016 at 02:30 AM.
Yes, like on the Xcub. Less drag. +14 mph is why.
Like this?
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1.75" Grove calipers, 1.50" dia. Axle, 31" tires and AOSS, one-piece stainless steel brake lines from cylinders.
Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011
I agree with Glenn on the gear. There are some things about a Super Cub type airplane that make it what it is and capable of landing and taking off from unimproved areas. The Cub-style gear being one of those.
But not everyone is needing those features and spring gear would be much more streamlined.
Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011
Now all you need are the Acme Aero Fab shocks, and you'll have the best setup available.
Let us know if you want a set.
There is virtually no chance CubCrafters will ever make spring gear as a retrofit for the PA18. The main reason is that the fuselage structure where the gear attaches is significantly different. With "legacy gear" the loads (stresses) are spread over two attach points whereas with the spring gear both the gear itself and the fuselage structure must be stout enough to withstand pretty considerable loads in every direction that are concentrated at a single point. As I watched all of the Part 23 certification testing way back during that phase I was quite surprised how onerous it is.
The spring gear has some significant benefits, which is why we developed it for the XCub, but it is heavier, more expensive, and must have a fuselage designed specifically for it.
Randy Lervold
[QUOTE=randylervold;17593
The spring gear has some significant benefits, which is why we developed it for the XCub, but it is heavier, more expensive, and must have a fuselage designed specifically for it.[/QUOTE]
It is easy to see that spring gear is much cleaner compared to draggy Cub gear and that cruise speeds would be improved. What other benefits go with spring gear?
Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011
Scout is a neat airplane and has some nice features. Most Scouts have spring steel gear though, until they changed to aluminum in 2004. It's always a bit difficult to make comparisons with all aspects considered, as with this case, since the Scout differs by: sitting higher on ground and at a different nose high attitude, has different wing and wing loading, typically has a higher empty weight, has a lower gross weight, was certified to older regulations revision level, etc., etc. And...it's not a Cub/Xcub !
Last edited by Pat Horgan; 01-06-2017 at 05:27 PM.
Patrick Horgan
President
CubCrafters | Yakima WA