---------------------------------------------------------- Kitfox-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 04/09/12: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 11:38 AM - Re: smooth tires (rez) 2. 01:27 PM - Re: Re: smooth tires (Lowell Fitt) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 11:38:08 AM PST US From: rez Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: smooth tires Wet runways not a factor here in Pahrump, -maybe four inches rain per yea r. -I do land on asphalt at the home field, but also on dry lakes and san d. Regarding traction though, I am not sure it is a good thing. -The consens us seems to be that it is more difficult landing a KF on a hard surface tha n on grass or gravel. -If I touch down a little cockeyed and those tires grab hold of the runway, then the back end wants to come around hard for an other ground loop. -If I do the same on gravel or grass, the mains may sl ip sideways a little, giving me a bit of time to get it straight. - Comments? JimKF2/582 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 01:27:45 PM PST US From: "Lowell Fitt" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: smooth tires Jim, My understanding is similar to your comments. Traction is not necessarily a good thing with a tail wheel airplane on landing. But, since the Kitfox has had smooth tires from day one with lots of stories of ground loops, I doubt that the smooth tires help much in that regard on pavement. Sort of like the low pressure slicks on a dragster. Another thought on traction - not a good thing with heavy braking either as it is not too difficult to nose over. I have lifted the tail a time or two with the brakes. Then again, it is probably better to have the brakes being the weak spot and slipping rather than the wheels slipping against the pavement when braking. Lowell From: rez Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 11:37 AM Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: smooth tires Wet runways not a factor here in Pahrump, maybe four inches rain per year. I do land on asphalt at the home field, but also on dry lakes and sand. Regarding traction though, I am not sure it is a good thing. The consensus seems to be that it is more difficult landing a KF on a hard surface than on grass or gravel. If I touch down a little cockeyed and those tires grab hold of the runway, then the back end wants to come around hard for another ground loop. If I do the same on gravel or grass, the mains may slip sideways a little, giving me a bit of time to get it straight. Comments? Jim KF2/582 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message kitfox-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Kitfox-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/kitfox-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/kitfox-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.