---------------------------------------------------------- Lightning-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sun 07/16/06: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:55 AM - Re: [esqualtalk] Lightning Flight review (N1BZRich@AOL.COM) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:55:54 AM PST US From: N1BZRich@AOL.COM Subject: Lightning-List: 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.