Split Flaps on the SR/Moose

[rickhm]

Given all this conversation about split flaps on the Rebel and Elite, does anyone have an opinion on the SR/Moose. A few thoughts come to mind for those of us that are not familiar with the details of the rebel/elite.

1) Is the system the same on the SR/Moose as it is on the Rebel/Elite. I assume it is... same manufacturer, but maybe not?
2) Is the flight performance discussed with the Rebel/Elite applicable for the SR/Moose?

Rick Muller
SR 70



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[Bob Patterson]

Hi Rick !

The S/R flap/aileron system is quite different from the Rebel -
a different speed range, plus time and experience have brought improvements.
Given the much higher cruise speed, and the large speed range of the
SR/Moose, I believe that flapperons would be VERY difficult to configure.

The 180 Hp Elite was a good 10 mph faster than the O-320 Rebel in
cruise, and almost 40 mph faster than the prototype Rebel ! With extra
speed comes higher control forces, and faster response, and a need to
adjust the control travel to avoid 'twitchiness'. While the flapperons
served very well at slow speeds, they load up quickly with speed. Going
to separate ailerons greatly reduced the loads & forces.

The prototype Rebel was a delight to fly at 97 mph. - hours
of hands-off cross country joy. But, I once over-pitched the prop,
giving a cruise of 105 - 110 mph - and it took a LOT of concentration
and sometimes 2 hands, to fly smoothly at a constant speed !!!
The elevator had become unpleasantly sensitive, and the ailerons quite
heavy ! Of course, the factory had already made changes in the
control horns so that this was not a problem on production Rebels
- but it did mean larger control movements were required at
low speeds (no biggie). The larger control movements also meant
lighter control forces - a real delight on the SR. It's NOTHING like
a Cessna ! ;-)

All things considered, I think the factory has found a delightful
balance in the Rebel, Super Rebel, and the Moose. I've enjoyed flying
all of them, and found the controls pretty well balanced and easy
to work with throughout the speed range - long cross countries
(literally, Across The Country) were a hands-off delight !

I have heard pilots complain about a small lack of aileron
authority on the SR/Moose when everything is drooped AND you have
a strong crosswind ... that WAS NOT <my> experience, but then I've
adopted a habit of NEVER landing those aircraft with FULL flap.
2 notches was always completely adequate, and 3 seemed just a bit
too much. If the ailerons seem to need more authority, perhaps
a major mod might be to shorten the flap span, and increase the
aileron span, by 3 or 4 inches .... just smoking here, as it might
not even be feasible ! In any case, I didn't have a problem, but
maybe I might have seen something if I'd flown the Super a LOT more...

I DID land the Rebel in a 35-gusting 48- crosswind at 45 degrees,
on amphibs, without any problem -- There's LOTS of aileron on the
Rebel !!

Basically, the factory has done a very good job with the
flaps & controls, and <I> (just MHO) wouldn't think it was worth
the time & effort to mess with it much ! Of course, it IS an
experimental, and, if you enjoy tinkering more than flying ...... ;-^)

.....bobp

--------------------------------orig.---------------------------------------
At 10:56 AM 1/20/03 -0700, you wrote:

Given all this conversation about split flaps on the Rebel and Elite, does

anyone have an opinion on the SR/Moose. A few thoughts come to mind for
those of us that are not familiar with the details of the rebel/elite.

1) Is the system the same on the SR/Moose as it is on the Rebel/Elite. I

assume it is... same manufacturer, but maybe not?

2) Is the flight performance discussed with the Rebel/Elite applicable for

the SR/Moose?

Rick Muller
SR 70


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