Today's Message Index:
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1. 02:57 AM - Re: spar/gear bracket (Malcolm Ferguson)
2. 06:50 AM - Re: Re: spar/gear bracket (N1BZRich@aol.com)
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Subject: | Re: spar/gear bracket |
Have followed the posts on the failure of the central ladder beam with
interest. I have posted photos of the fix for an Esqual with a chrome
moly frame. I won't identify the owner but the fix is from a certified
aircraft welder.
The damage was caused by operating out of an extemely rough grass strip
and I would surmise the damage was done taxying, not heavy landings.
This plane was the catalyst for the "Alerts" section on the
http://www.esqual.se/ website. I have landed on that airfield once and I
was concerned that the nose leg would stay intact till I finished
taxying. I have the flat plate spring steel undercarriage legs which
seem indestructible but I have the square carbon fibre nose leg. I have
always worried about it. It has no flex in it, unlike alloy nose legs.
Some time ago an Esqual was stalled in from a considerable height(an
incipient spin had developed) The usual bits on the front of the
aircraft were wrecked and some wing leading edge damage but the central
ladder/spars remained undamaged. The pilot had a sore back. I reckon the
design of the Lightning/Esqual is very strong in that area.
Takeoffs are optional, landings mandatory. "Green Landings" :)
Malcolm Ferguson
Message 2
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Subject: | Re: spar/gear bracket |
Hi Malcolm,
Good input and photos. Let me add just one more thought to this
discussion, and that is gross weights. I fear that some Esqual flyers may be
exceeding the max take off weights that were specified. And notice I said
weights (plural). Two numbers have been specified as the max gross weight for
the Esqual, 992 pounds (or 450 kg) and 1250 pounds (560 kg). The 992 pounds
comes from the current web site for the Esqual. The 1250 was what was
listed for the one I built (serial number E180070). So there may be some
confusion out there, especially if the current flyer is not the original
builder. Flying on a rough field (like Malcolm mentioned) with too high a gross
weight could certainly result in the problem seen in the photos Malcolm
sent.
Blue Skies,
Buz
In a message dated 3/19/2010 5:59:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
malannx@bigpond.com writes:
Have followed the posts on the failure of the central ladder beam with
interest. I have posted photos of the fix for an Esqual with a chrome moly
frame. I won't identify the owner but the fix is from a certified aircraft
welder.
The damage was caused by operating out of an extemely rough grass strip
and I would surmise the damage was done taxying, not heavy landings. This
plane was the catalyst for the "Alerts" section on the _http://www.esqual.se/_
(http://www.esqual.se/) website. I have landed on that airfield once and I
was concerned that the nose leg would stay intact till I finished taxying.
I have the flat plate spring steel undercarriage legs which seem
indestructible but I have the square carbon fibre nose leg. I have always worried
about it. It has no flex in it, unlike alloy nose legs.
Some time ago an Esqual was stalled in from a considerable height(an
incipient spin had developed) The usual bits on the front of the aircraft were
wrecked and some wing leading edge damage but the central ladder/spars
remained undamaged. The pilot had a sore back. I reckon the design of the
Lightning/Esqual is very strong in that area.
Takeoffs are optional, landings mandatory. "Green Landings" :)
Malcolm Ferguson
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