4 ms·
What is the trick, big wheels that don’t hold the air? Looks like that is what’s slowing the plane when landing, and let it start without a runway
by punnerud 4y ago
What is the trick, big wheels that don’t hold the air?
Looks like that is what’s slowing the plane when landing, and let it start without a runway
- gridspy 4y agoThe trick is that the plane flies while still going absurdly slow. 37 kt vs >120 kt for similar planes. So less momentum on landing to dispose of, or to generate while taking off.
- wkat4242 4y ago120kt is a really high approach speed for any small plane. It's more around cruise for a C172 bit approach speeds are way lower.
- simne 4y agoSpecially modified wings accept very slow flight, where typical plane already stall. For example, typical stall speed for similar planes about 70kmh, but modified for STOL could stay at air at 45-50. With some fortunate wind, could land vertically, and even flight backward (as seen from surface). Sure, need very reliable engine, because engine fail in such conditions could be fatal. Because of this nuance, small STOLs nearly only practice in US/EU (old US or German engines, or licensed clones).
- simne 4y agoHuge wheels mostly for safety and for convenience. Idea, that typical landing strip is ideal road, perfectly flat and clear from garbage, like stones, but not for STOL. And from automobiles exists empirical rule - wheel could easy deal with obstacles less than 25% of wheel diameter (some sources say about 10%). STOL specially made for unprepared sites, like agricultural fields or just non-used wasteland, so they could meet stones or grooves, and should safety land in such conditions, and should be convenient for general field procedures. Even happened tries to make STOL with air cushion, or even crawlers, instead of wheel gear. They fly, but was too sophisticated to be economically comparable to just big wheels.