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calculating Va (What me worry?)

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lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
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Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:41 pm Post subject: calculating Va (What me worry?)

Interesting stuff.  I do slow down when the turbulence makes the flying 

uncomfortable, but for some reason, I'm not particularly concerned about the 

wings falling off or anything else for that matter.  Guys  and Gals have 

been flying these things for years and I would guess well over  a million 

hours total (maybe 2 million) with all levels of builder skills and piloting 

skills and no inflight structural failures - Wow to that.



Lancairs have broken up in flight, but flying through thunder storms would 

probably break up a Kirfox too.  When I was new to my Model IV, turbulence 

was quite uncomfortable and I'm sure the old adrenaline level reflected 

that, but after flying a bit (I still prefer still air) I no longer fear for 

my life if it gets bouncy and try to stay on the ground when it looks 

dicey..



I get a certain kick out of some of the talk on the Lancair list - guys with 

an engineering background that insist the $50 electrical connctors are 

necessary because they are used on the Space Shuttle.  I just ordered some 

$0.50 connectors that were recommended by an avionics shop - who's to say.



I think the Kitfox is a fine airplane, well designed and engineered.  I 

guess some day one might fall apart in the air and then we will really have 

something to talk about.  It's fun to learn how others think and it always 

gives some food for thought, but...



 This is just one more opinion.



Lowell

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taildragon(at)msn.com
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:08 am Post subject: calculating Va (What me worry?)

Lowell,

Our guest speaker, a well known aircraft designer, at our EAA Chapter meeting this past week stated that 25% of the Lancair IV fleet has crashed with some people being killed. He works with the NTSB and stated the reason being that they were designed for 3000 lb gross and are routinely being flown at 4000 lb gross. What did you say your friend is building? What is he anticipating for his empty and gross weights?

Roger

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lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:30 pm Post subject: calculating Va (What me worry?)

Roger,



The short answer is I don't know.  The long answer is I have decided to not 

fly in it - at least until the owner has at least 250 hours in it.  I am 

aware of the accident statistics, however I didn't know the ratio was that 

high.  Many of the owners will keep 100 kts on final because of the high 

stall speed, so any unplanned contact with the ground is at very high 

speeds.



Some of the things I hear and question have to do with low speed 

performance.  Now I  don't know if what I am saying is  peculiar to the IV, 

or the other models, but I hear they won't flare.  One guy said he had flown 

six Lancairs and none of them would flare.  One guy said his won't rotate on 

takeoff, that he just waits until it wants to fly and then flys it off the 

ground.



Some one wanted to know some weights for W/B estimating for his airplane. 

And some of the numbers surprised me, i.e. 321# rt main 320# lft main 

370#-nose wheel, for example.  Seems a lot of wt. on that little wheel our 

front.  My guess is that they are loaded heavy up front and possibly the 

main gear is designed/positioned too far aft.



I generally enjoy the building as I enjoy learning new skills., but I don't 

want to own one, nor am I looking forward to flying in one.



Lowell



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