Quote:
Originally Posted by oldE
I believe E38's question was to the purpose of retracting the nose gear in the first place.
My guess would be to degrade aerodynamic lift if the wind should blow.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
Best
Les
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Hi Les
That is how I interpreted the question as well. I was just showing a pic of what the design looked like from below since it kinda difficult to see while one is parked.
The VariEZ and LongEZ were designed to be parked on the nose. With the engine in the back/pusher configuration, they will tip back and sit on their arse if the nose wheel is extended and left. This is due to the CG limits of the design. In the beginning, the VariEZ was designed to be a hand start to keep it simple. Basic avionics, no starter, simple and lite. This would also keep the VariEZ from going anywhere as long as the throttle was set correctly. Open too much, and the possibility of it driving off was increased. Once the engine is running, the pilot picks up the nose, lowers the nose wheel and climbs aboard.
The LongEZ’s design is the same, however advancements in equipment has allowed folks to install an electric nose wheel that allows the nose to be picked up off the ground as well as lowered with pilot and passenger aboard. Mechanically speaking, that adds a bit of stress to the attach points to the nose wheel as well as adds a bit of weight as well.
FUN FACT:
On a side note, the pics I posted of the suspended VariEZ, a bit modified by a redesigned Naca intake scoop rather than the plans P51 intake and LongEZ style lower winglets, use to belong to a Pelican’s dad who was an instructor at the Sacramento City College’s Aviation Program. He donated it to the college and they suspended it from the ceiling of the hangar classroom.
