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1. 06:55 AM - Re: [esqualtalk] Lightning Flight review (N1BZRich@AOL.COM)
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| Subject: | Re: [esqualtalk] Lightning Flight review |
Hi Laurie,
Your glider comparison to landing the Esqual is right on. In fact,
flying it is probably somewhat like flying a motor glider that can go really
fast. I have never flown a motor glider (I do have a commercial glider rating)
but with the relatively long, high aspect ratio wing and the 19 to 1 glide
ratio, the Esqual does not want to stop flying. Speed control on final is
important to get down and stopped short. Also, down low on a hot bumpy day, the
Esqual can be a somewhat uncomfortable ride unless you slow down. Of course
that same wing allows you to get high in a hurry and be above the bumpy air
and utilize the fast cruise speeds.
Good point on using the Lightning's full 45 degrees of flaps to insure
short landings, as you say, into someone's back yard. It would certainly
allow a really steep approach. And it is always good to have extra "tricks" in
your "bag of tricks" when something goes wrong. The reason I mentioned that
is the high drag situation (45 flaps) kind of puts you behind the "power
curve" and really took a long time to reestablish a climb rate during my dirty
stalls and that could potentially be a problem on a last minute go around. Your
mileage may vary. Another thought that I think I failed to mention - the
Lightning's rudder authority and rudder pressures are slightly better and
slightly lighter than my Esqual. Therefore, I found that slips were a little
easier and more effective in the Lightning. So that is another "trick" for your
"bag of tricks" that you will have on board.
At this point I would think that the tail dragger Lightning is just a
future thought. The guys in Shelbyville are just too busy now to work on the
changes, but I am fairly confident that if will happen - sometime. Some
future builder may beat them to it. I should be a relatively easy modification
once the geometry of the main gear is worked out. I can see two ways to do
that - either added to the motor mount angled aft, or added to the central beam
assembly (as is the current main gear) at the proper angle. Adding the tail
wheel would probably be the easy part. But it sure would be a great looking
airplane. Not that it isn't already.
Blue Skies,
Buz
PS: Leg pulling? Maybe a little.
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