Gravel Bar Scars

[TroyBranch]

I do most of my flying on grass, rutted trails, fields, pave and gravel bars. My tail and belly already has holes in the fabric from rocks flying off the tires. Looks like recovering the emp will need to be done every few years maybe. I build this to really use it and I have no intentions to change the type of flying I do. How is your cub holding up for those doing lots of off airport work ? The elevator is quite low and the down elevator position is taking a beating. 200hrs on me previous Superstol and it still doesn't have a mark with the same or worse type of flying. Just curious if there is anything I should know.


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[Paul S.]

Troy,

Maybe when you do recover it try the heavy duty PolyFiber Heavy Duty-4 fabric? PolyFiber recommends it for bush planes and it sounds like you qualify.

--paul

[TroyBranch]

Not sure how much thicker fabric will help, the rocks really fly up....memories with my family like this, this plane is creating .....


Is worth every scar like this....lol.


And this....



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[Jon P]

Try helicopter tape (clear bra for cars). Comes in 12 mil (cars use 8 mil) and is pretty tough in the thicker version. I had an ASH 26E sailplane that use to get dinged up from the main wheel kicking rocks up on the bottom of the fuse.

JP

[stede52]

I have my flying buddy in a Highlander land first and clear the area for me

[Dan L]

Troy,

I've had the same problems. Take a look at this thread:
http://www.cubcraftersforums.com/sho...ighlight=rocks

I've probably got 1000 landings in my EX on gravel bars. The last couple of years have been better. Less aggressive braking I think has helped.

[TroyBranch]

I agree with the less braking. I find when it is really rough I just keep the tail up with light breaking and it just rolls over the rocks...nice and smooth. If you brake hard it shudders the whole plane on really rough stuff so I figure it is not worth braking hard if you have the room. Just took a guy fishing with lots of gear and I rolled it on with light breaking..just enough to keep the tail up. It sure is fun.

Seen those mud/rock guards behind the wheels, is that worth trying?