Bush Gear

[catz631]

I just installed a new landing gear I acquired from Lowell Fitt @ HighWing LLC. This vastly improves the ground handling of the aircraft and in my opinion,this is the way it should have come. The gear spread has gone from 4 ft to 6 ft. Turning on grass is no longer a big wide arc. I will try to include some pictures but I am not having much luck on this site.
Dick Maddux
Fox4-1200
Pensacola,Fl

[catz631]

Well that picture came through. I have more if anyone is interested. To continue, by using this gear not only do I have excellent ground handling but the gear is 4 lbs lighter than the original and 15 lbs lighter than the Grove gear (cheaper too) and no bungees to change ! My aircraft appears to cruise about 3-4 mph slower ( IAS) due to the additional drag but it is worth it to me !
With the standard narrow gear my aircraft always wanted to wheel land rather than 3 point. I had to force the tail down. With this gear it assumes the position and 3 points are much easier (I don't know why) Stability on final approach also feels better. Perhaps the wheels being further out are acting like outriggers on a canoe.
I now have the classic "Monocoupe" look that I like and better handling to boot!
Dick Maddux
Fox4-1200
Rotax 912 UL
Pensacola,Fl

[Mnflyer]

Hi Dick that's a good looking Kitfox and I like the bush gear glad you posted over here. I would suspect that the cobane struts and bungee springs are whats causing the slight loss of AS are you thinking of fairing over the springs?

[catz631]

I have a little additional drag ,due to the cabane strut and springs I would imagine. It is still windy here so I have not been able to get a good stable IAS. I am guessing it is 2-3 mph slower. But again with fat tires and a bush gear ,no big deal. It is a little taller than the original but I cannot give you a figure as I did not measure prior to installation.I know I have to stretch a little more to reach the fuel caps(I am a short guy)
The aircraft is now a much better 3 pointer ! With the old gear it always wanted to wheel land. I did some pretty good ones!
In a nutshell ,you could not pay me twice what I paid for this bush gear to reinstall the old one ! It handles so nice on the ground and on landing !
It was not that expensive compared to the optional gears available (in fact a whole lot less) and it looks sooo good !
Dick Maddux

[curby]

your plane looks awesome, my question is what about brakes, did it come with the kit or did you have to change altogether?

[Mark]

Dick,
I really like the looks of your new gear. Also, nice job fairing them out. Is the wheel base about the same as the bush gear Kitfox offers?

[catz631]

Lowell fabricated the gear so that I was able to reuse both the original wheels,axles and the brakes. This saved me almost $1000 when you concider buying new wheels,tires,brakes and axles. This may not be as strong as the heavy duty axles/26 inch wheels etc , but they are certainly as strong or stronger than the original. I have no plans of landing on big rocks, islands in rivers (crocagator will eat you) or mountain strips (don't have any...nuts!) so the original wheels are fine. I am sure Lowell would build you a gear either way.
I wanted a gear that would give me more control on my grass runway. I couldn't get this airplane to steer worth a c^%p ! I have gone thru 2 tailwheels and was going to buy new brakes. My turns had to be wide turns in order to keep the tailwheel from kicking out and then massive power to straighten it. (pavement was ok) Now with this new gear problem is solved. It steers great! Piece of cake !
In addition I now have a nice "3 pointer",better stability on final and a REALLY good looking gear and the "coup de grass' (pun intended)....No bungees ! And,this is one tough gear ! 4 lbs lighter than original too !
I think I like it.
I have not seen the Kitfox "bush gear" but I am sure they are similar and if John makes it, it will be quality !
Dick Maddux
Pensacola,Fl

[jdmcbean]

The Wheel Base is about the same.

However, we do include the axles with the kit. The wheels and brakes are available but not included.

[catz631]

Lowell suggested the same thing. I think that is the answer. I have landed about 10 times now with this new gear and in every case it has done a nice 3 point landing with no tendency to want to acquire the wheel landing attitude. It would make sense that the gear legs and fat tires so close together might very well disturb the air flow to the elevator. I think you guys have nailed it ! Thanks !!
Dick

[Pilot4Life]

Folks,
Just a thought about the whole issue with a Main Gear Landing. I noticed that catz631 mentioned the weight loss with the new gear and others had attributed possible aerodynamic gains/factors contributing to the success in 3pt landings. I agree, aerodynamics may have helped somewhat. Another thought however. Weight and Balance. The weight loss (Congrats, by the way. We all struggle with that! ) would have created a more aft CG. Any thoughts or comments? By the way, the new gear does look great, with that wide stance!