Chuck,
I quite surprised that you haven't had more posts on the subject.
I have a trigear and fly 90% of times on grass. I guess it depends on your
idea of sown grass and "relatively smooth" however I haven't experienced a
problem. I treat the nose wheel like its made from glass and keep the weight
off it where possible for as long as possible. I find that one in the roll
you can unload the nose almost immediately anyway and let the main gear ride
any bumps. It does bob up and down a bit if you are taxiing on rough grass
but that's no problem at all. Like everyone I have had the odd bad landing
and its stayed in one piece so far. I don't think you would have a problem
at all but I don't know what kind of strips you want to go to.
Regards
Kevin
GOURO UK
-----Original Message-----
From: forum-owner@europaclub.org.uk
Subject: Off-tarmac Tri-gear Operation
Query to the Forum--
I'm reconsidering the trigear option, but it seems that 75% of my present
operations is from or to sod airfields.
Would you consider operating the Europa tri-gear from sod airfields?
How about from farmer's fields? I'm referring to relatively smooth mowed
pastures, not plowed furrows ;-).
BTW, did anyone catch the account in the December Sport Aviation about the
Europa XS tri-gear which departed company with its nose gear after a touch
and go? The gear apparently tore loose and sailed over the right wingtip,
much to the astonishment of the XP's occupants!!! Nobody hurt, but a good
bit of damage suffered landing sans nose gear!
Pops
A036
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