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1. 04:50 AM - Re: Newbie Questions? (Richard Pike)
2. 05:25 AM - Re: Newbie Questions? (Pat Ladd)
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Subject: | Re: Newbie Questions? |
Never flown a Challenger, but one of the guys in our club bought one several years
ago. This guy flies everything for a living, and he described it as one of
the worst flying airplanes he had ever flown. Back before I got my MKIII, the
wife and I went to a Challenger dealer and tried one on. Unless you are slim
and agile, you don't want to be in the back seat. Getting out is a media event.
Funny Home Videos media...
The MKIII is not inherently stable, and requires active pilotage in all three axis
at all times. Learn to fly in it and you will be good at flying anything.
It will spoil you for flying other taildraggers, because it is the easiest taildragger
to fly imaginable.
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Richard Pike
Kolb MKIII N420P (420ldPoops)
richard (at) bcchapel(dot)org
Kingsport, TN 3TN0
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=386182#386182
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Subject: | Re: Newbie Questions? |
Hi Jerry,
Hardly anyone on this list will mention the Challenger without spitting.
I disagree. I flew the Challenger with a 503 engine very happily for several
years.It wandered a bit until the forward extension of the tailfin was
fitted. That improved it a lot.It did everything I wanted .A selfstarter
would have been nice but I could stand at the side with my left hand on the
throttle and pull the cord easily. I never chocked the wheels.The flaperons
worked to some extent but were more use in trimming the plane than as flaps.
That didn`t matter as she would side slip as though the wings had fallen
off and recover immediately on kicking off the slip.The U/c survived
unscathed through some really horrific landings/takeoffs from some appalling
fields.. Unlike the Kolb which will put a bend in the u/c legs if you drop
it in a bit heavily.The tricycle u/c made ground handling a doddle.
Unfortunately advancing age made getting in and out of the Challenger a bit
difficult and I wanted a 4 stroke engine.and a bit more comfort.
I had admired the lines of the Kolb for years.and bought a Mark 3 Xtra with
a Jabiru. The visibility is superb and the design well tried. The side by
side cockpit with a lid on looks very desirable and comfortable.
I trained on a taildragger so the change back from the Challenger was not a
major consideration. Macho too.`Real pilots fly taildraggers` but I wish I
hadn`t bothered. Trike u/c is superior in every way. No need for toe
brakes.No problems taxiing in a crosswind etc.
It is nice flying side by side and certainly better for receiving
instruction but if you fly mainly solo the decreased frontal area of the
Challenger makes for better efficiency.If you are big the cockpit is a bit
cramped. The big cockpit of the Kolb leaves plenty of room for maps, food
and general storage if you intend doing extended X country trips.The doors
make for easy access.
Unfortunately because of back problems I can no longer do the ground
handling, refuelling, maintenance etc and do not fly at all but if I was
forty again I would have a Challenger with a 4 stroke engine fitted. I
loved the open cockpit. If I was seventy again I would probably have a Kolb
Xtra but only if available with tricyle undercart.
This will probably provoke howls of disagreement on the list and will
provide material for a new thread for weeks to come. Sift through the
comments and you will learn a lot. Maybe even enough to make an informed
decision.
Stick with the Kolb list whatever you do. They are a great bunch, helpful
and knowledgeable.
Good luck
Pat
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