Larry Mednick
Forum Replies Created
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Dancing with Revolts Desert Trike Flying by Larson Adventures.
https://youtu.be/gNmaytxXFOIDancing with Revolts Desert Trike Flying by Larson Adventures.
https://youtu.be/gNmaytxXFOI -
ROAD TRIP
https://youtu.be/PEq4DGu7zM0ROAD TRIP
https://youtu.be/PEq4DGu7zM0 -
Regarding things like shown in the above example, yes, sure no problem. A quick search for Larson’s Adventures or TTabs on YouTube will show examples of trikes doing what I think you are asking about.
Truthfully most pilots flying actual STOL planes (not a Kit Fox) are not using the full capabilities of their plane anyway. BUT when you get the right STOL plane in the hands of the right pilot, the results are insane. Meaning they are able to use 100-250 foot landing areas. This is where a trike cannot compete. But if you are wanting to land on 900 foot strips and explore the mountains, then you don’t really need a true STOL plane anyway.
Typical STOL performance looks like 17 MPH stall with 100+ MPH top speed. Typical trike is either 28 MPH a stall with 60 MPH top speed or 35+ mph stall with a 80+ mph top speed. There are exceptions, but the fixed wing speed range is unchallenged by trikes against slatted winged STOL Bush Planes
The real question is after flying a trike, is the airplane fun enough to not want to be in a trike covering the same land scape.
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Yes, so a midfield cross over may not be ideal either if you are approaching from the traffic pattern side either. I like to stay at 1500 AGL (mind you jets fly the pattern at 1500’) and use a teardrop entry. The same recommended entry the FAA describes for if you are crossing midfield. But in this case I come in from 180 off or roughly any direction I like above the pattern to that point. Not only do I avoid crossing multiple fast down wind legs, but I can circle (example: “trike is circling at 1,500 just north of the field”) and while circling I can decide WHEN the tear drop is most desirable. Once I enter my tight downwind at pattern altitude, no one should be able to catch me unless that are not where they should be regardless of their speed. We are all doing 5-6 minute patterns.
The only thing that becomes tricky is turning both crosswind and base while aiming at another aircraft initially. The key when I turn base , for example is to say “turning base behind the Cirrus” even though he is on a mile final and I am turning a 1/4 mile base. You simple need 500’ spacing at all times and good 2 way communication. Plus I am 500 feet above his 1/4 Mile short final if we both arrive by accident to the 1/4 mile final at the same time. Then he is landed and off the runway or touch N go before my wheels are down. I can chase the fastest planes around the pattern with ease…
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Blair, I would avoid a straight in especially at your airspeed in all cases. Trikes on long final is probably the biggest danger. At least on downwind we are all (supposed to be) at the same altitude so we can see each other. On final trikes tend to be much higher and the other pilots are probably not looking up for traffic as we descend onto them. But more importantly Traffic really need to turn base where they need to turn base or they become the menace in the pattern for whoever is following them. So if a long final stops them from being able to do so, that is a problem by itself.
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Good point! On windier days slower aircraft need to watch their time/distance on final. Assuming you are landing into the wind the difference in ground speed starts to change ratio with faster aircraft. Example: no wind 50MPH trike is 1/2 the ground speed of a 100MPH plane. Add 25 mph head wind and now the plane is 3X faster instead of only double the ground speed (25 vs. 75). So the length of our final when there is a strong head wind really needs to be shortened even more, so we don’t get run over on final by the plane behind us.
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Flying at different speeds in the pattern should generally be no conflict if everyone is where they should be. And what I mean by that is the faster an aircraft is going, the larger their pattern should be. I have flown all over the world and there seems to be a very consistent 5-6 minute pattern time. So a Cirrus and a Champ should be able to stay in the pattern shooting a dozen touch N goes with no interference from one another. Unfortunately every once in a while some “Yahoo” in an RV 4 is shooting T+Gs in the “Champ pattern” every 3 minutes and some Cessna 152 is setting up his 2 mile final. These aircraft not only can’t mix in with us, they can’t mix in with ANYONE ELSE in the pattern. They are a danger and inconvenience to others.
However when everyone is where they are supposed to be , then speeds within the same pattern are almost irrelevant and everyone should be in synch with good separation.
The problem I have discovered for trikes and other slow aircraft is the 45 entry. In order to do so we must cross the downwind of several faster, larger “downwind legs” to get to our “inside” down wind leg. This is not only dangerous, but impossible when there are 4+ fast aircraft in the pattern at once.
I have a solution to this, but would like to hear others thoughts.
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Not yet
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The best solution is we need to open up a messenger within Trikeaction. In the mean time maybe see if they are on FB or just call out here on Trikeaction the name and ask him to call or email you.
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Wow! So glad your motor is running without issue now. It’s really awesome to see this forum at work answering questions. That’s what’s it’s all about!
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You have checked the most important things. I would say ignition, but the 2 ignition systems are so separated that I don’t believe they can both fail together unless it’s at the kill switch which kills both at the same time.
The only thing I can think of that you haven’t checked is the float and needle system. I’m wondering if the bowl is getting sucked dry if the floats or needle and seat are sticking. I would replace both and go from there.
If compression is good, spark is redundant, then I’m leaning towards fuel supply. And since the fuel system is so very short and simple and you have replaced the filter (hopefully not a paper filter), then the possible fuel supply problem may reside inside the carb.
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We ceramic coat EVERY 2 stroke exhaust that goes out the door. Unless it’s a stainless steel exhaust, we ceramic coat it. We do the 582s, and Polinis. Ironically the 2 stroke exhausts are hundreds of degrees cooler than the 4 strokes, so heat on a 2 stroke exhaust is less of a problem than on a 4 stroke.
Not all ceramic coatings are equal. Jet Hot is about the best we have found in the US.
The short answer is do it. There is nothing more unsightly than a rusty exhaust on an aircraft.
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Hi Lori, so sorry to hear this. Just terrible. Hopefully the person in the hospital makes a full and speedy recovery. I am sure there is a story to be told leading up to the accident. There usually is… we always want to know the how and why as fellow trike pilots. Condolences to the family and so sorry for your loss.
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That’s how nearly every trike in our hangar is. Works great for sure.
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Hey Jim, unless you removed your thermostat, I’m pretty sure your Monsoon has one.