The Murphy Builders Site

Posted: **Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:13 am**

If Cecil is referring to the damaged floats he bought with a broken nose
gear leg (and a destroyed airplane that was once attached)...well U've gotta
know the circumstances/ability of the pilot and destructive arrival of his
airplane at the time. It wasn't design error and I hate talking bad of the
deceased (aggressive cancer not the crash) but is wasn't the first time the
airplane was wrecked.

We have 100's of take off and departures with MAM 1800 amphibs from my grass
strip. I won't land on a grass strip I haven't walked in it's entirety, but
not an issue IMHO. Howard managed to once bend the pivot shaft landing at
Trim-Airs strip in Brechin...but I suspect he caught one of Peter's many
"gopher" holes.

Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken" <klehman@albedo.net>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 11:34 AM
Subject: [rebel-builders] glide ratio

Cecil was saying that he has MAM researching slightly thicker amphib
nose gear legs due to a couple of incidents he's seen of bent/ broken
legs where the bolt goes sideways through the 5/8" thick leg. Apparently
the legs are high strength 7075 aluminum. I am beginning to think that
it is not the best idea to operate the amphibs on grass strips!

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://mail.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Posted: **Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:13 am**

Welcome back Wayne - boy time flys!

Jim

Wayne G. O'Shea wrote:

If Cecil is referring to the damaged floats he bought with a broken nose
gear leg (and a destroyed airplane that was once attached)...well U've gotta
know the circumstances/ability of the pilot and destructive arrival of his
airplane at the time. It wasn't design error and I hate talking bad of the
deceased (aggressive cancer not the crash) but is wasn't the first time the
airplane was wrecked.

We have 100's of take off and departures with MAM 1800 amphibs from my grass
strip. I won't land on a grass strip I haven't walked in it's entirety, but
not an issue IMHO. Howard managed to once bend the pivot shaft landing at
Trim-Airs strip in Brechin...but I suspect he caught one of Peter's many
"gopher" holes.

Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken" <klehman@albedo.net>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 11:34 AM
Subject: [rebel-builders] glide ratio

Cecil was saying that he has MAM researching slightly thicker amphib
nose gear legs due to a couple of incidents he's seen of bent/ broken
legs where the bolt goes sideways through the 5/8" thick leg. Apparently
the legs are high strength 7075 aluminum. I am beginning to think that
it is not the best idea to operate the amphibs on grass strips!

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://www.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://mail.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Posted: **Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:13 am**

BTW Jim.....your brother sends his regards. Says he's thinking of you while
he works in paridise enjoying his evening beers! I told him to wait 2 months
and see if his tune changes!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Cole" <jcole@rangroup.com>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 12:17 PM
Subject: Re: [rebel-builders] Amphibs - Grass strips

Welcome back Wayne - boy time flys!

Jim

Wayne G. O'Shea wrote:

If Cecil is referring to the damaged floats he bought with a broken nose
gear leg (and a destroyed airplane that was once attached)...well U've
gotta
know the circumstances/ability of the pilot and destructive arrival of his
airplane at the time. It wasn't design error and I hate talking bad of the
deceased (aggressive cancer not the crash) but is wasn't the first time
the
airplane was wrecked.

We have 100's of take off and departures with MAM 1800 amphibs from my
grass
strip. I won't land on a grass strip I haven't walked in it's entirety,
but
not an issue IMHO. Howard managed to once bend the pivot shaft landing at
Trim-Airs strip in Brechin...but I suspect he caught one of Peter's many
"gopher" holes.

Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken" <klehman@albedo.net>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 11:34 AM
Subject: [rebel-builders] glide ratio

Cecil was saying that he has MAM researching slightly thicker amphib
nose gear legs due to a couple of incidents he's seen of bent/ broken
legs where the bolt goes sideways through the 5/8" thick leg. Apparently
the legs are high strength 7075 aluminum. I am beginning to think that
it is not the best idea to operate the amphibs on grass strips!

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://www.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://www.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://mail.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Posted: **Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:13 am**

He would surely be interested in any other incidents while repairing
that area but he was referring to other floats. I was curious whether
anyone who is on the list has replaced any bent nose gear legs though. I
don't think a bent gear leg implies design error. A bent leg is better
than rebuilding the front of the floats. A broken leg would be more of a
concern but I suspect that a gopher hole would win every time
regardless. I guess I'm wondering if it is worth modifying the leg
slightly to promote more bending and energy absorbtion before it breaks
at the stress point caused by the bolt hole. I'll wait and see what MAM
says. My build timetable is more than a year and it might just take all
of that...
thanks for the comments
Ken

Wayne G. O'Shea wrote:

If Cecil is referring to the damaged floats he bought with a broken nose
gear leg (and a destroyed airplane that was once attached)...well U've gotta
know the circumstances/ability of the pilot and destructive arrival of his
airplane at the time. It wasn't design error and I hate talking bad of the
deceased (aggressive cancer not the crash) but is wasn't the first time the
airplane was wrecked.

We have 100's of take off and departures with MAM 1800 amphibs from my grass
strip. I won't land on a grass strip I haven't walked in it's entirety, but
not an issue IMHO. Howard managed to once bend the pivot shaft landing at
Trim-Airs strip in Brechin...but I suspect he caught one of Peter's many
"gopher" holes.

Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken" <klehman@albedo.net>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 11:34 AM
Subject: [rebel-builders] glide ratio

Cecil was saying that he has MAM researching slightly thicker amphib
nose gear legs due to a couple of incidents he's seen of bent/ broken
legs where the bolt goes sideways through the 5/8" thick leg. Apparently
the legs are high strength 7075 aluminum. I am beginning to think that
it is not the best idea to operate the amphibs on grass strips.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://mail.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Posted: **Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:13 am**

After typing what I did I went to the hangar and checked mine with a
straight edge. Flat against the area between the guide bolts leaves a gap of
1/8" between the straight edge and leg down tight to the nose wheel pivot
block. If I get time later I'll take the load off one side to see if this
1/8" is permanant or strictly load deflection. And yes Ken...I'd rather have
it bend...even break off before damaging the retract structure/nose area.
The airplane will balance on two mains and a single nose wheel!

Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken" <klehman@albedo.net>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 1:12 PM
Subject: Re: [rebel-builders] Amphibs - Grass strips

He would surely be interested in any other incidents while repairing
that area but he was referring to other floats. I was curious whether
anyone who is on the list has replaced any bent nose gear legs though. I
don't think a bent gear leg implies design error. A bent leg is better
than rebuilding the front of the floats. A broken leg would be more of a
concern but I suspect that a gopher hole would win every time
regardless. I guess I'm wondering if it is worth modifying the leg
slightly to promote more bending and energy absorbtion before it breaks
at the stress point caused by the bolt hole. I'll wait and see what MAM
says. My build timetable is more than a year and it might just take all
of that...
thanks for the comments
Ken

Wayne G. O'Shea wrote:

If Cecil is referring to the damaged floats he bought with a broken nose
gear leg (and a destroyed airplane that was once attached)...well U've
gotta
know the circumstances/ability of the pilot and destructive arrival of his
airplane at the time. It wasn't design error and I hate talking bad of the
deceased (aggressive cancer not the crash) but is wasn't the first time
the
airplane was wrecked.

We have 100's of take off and departures with MAM 1800 amphibs from my
grass
strip. I won't land on a grass strip I haven't walked in it's entirety,
but
not an issue IMHO. Howard managed to once bend the pivot shaft landing at
Trim-Airs strip in Brechin...but I suspect he caught one of Peter's many
"gopher" holes.

Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken" <klehman@albedo.net>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 11:34 AM
Subject: [rebel-builders] glide ratio

Cecil was saying that he has MAM researching slightly thicker amphib
nose gear legs due to a couple of incidents he's seen of bent/ broken
legs where the bolt goes sideways through the 5/8" thick leg. Apparently
the legs are high strength 7075 aluminum. I am beginning to think that
it is not the best idea to operate the amphibs on grass strips.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://www.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://mail.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Posted: **Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:13 am**

I was referring to the floats I bought, they both sheared in the same spot.
As well as Carmen Titus loaned me a pair of legs he bent while transitioning
from water to his paved ramp to his hanger.
The other one I saw was the plane currently at Martin Air in Lindsay he had
a 'nylon' line or fitting blow in the float that would not allow him to
retract the front right wheel.
He was running out of fuel and landed in the channel with the wheel down,
successfully I might ad. Figured he would have nosed over?
Another example why to change the lines.
While taxing in to the dock he hit a stump at about 5 mph+or - and the leg
sheared in the same spot as mine were. rite at the bottom bolt hole.
Darrel said increasing the size to 3/4"will make it 33% stronger, 7/8"will
be 66% stronger,
I think I would rather have a stronger than necessary gear leg than a broken
plane.
If any one is interested he quoted me 199 each, but will wait till gets a
few orders, and will take 4 weeks lead time.
Good thing winter is coming.
I have pics. if any interest.
I had no problems taking off or landing on the grass strip at Martin air.
I did find that with the anphibs. the take off run was substantially greater
than with my straights. with only about 100lbs difference?
What amount of flaps do most people use?
I was only using one notch on the straits and with just me and 1/2 tanks
could take off in aprox 8 seconds.+-
Thanks
Cecil
soon be time for skis?
haven't tried them yet either.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Wayne G. O'Shea" <oifa@irishfield.on.ca>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 10:49 AM
Subject: [rebel-builders] Amphibs - Grass strips

If Cecil is referring to the damaged floats he bought with a broken nose
gear leg (and a destroyed airplane that was once attached)...well U've

gotta

know the circumstances/ability of the pilot and destructive arrival of his
airplane at the time. It wasn't design error and I hate talking bad of the
deceased (aggressive cancer not the crash) but is wasn't the first time

the

airplane was wrecked.

We have 100's of take off and departures with MAM 1800 amphibs from my

grass

strip. I won't land on a grass strip I haven't walked in it's entirety,

but

not an issue IMHO. Howard managed to once bend the pivot shaft landing at
Trim-Airs strip in Brechin...but I suspect he caught one of Peter's many
"gopher" holes.

Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken" <klehman@albedo.net>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 11:34 AM
Subject: [rebel-builders] glide ratio

Cecil was saying that he has MAM researching slightly thicker amphib
nose gear legs due to a couple of incidents he's seen of bent/ broken
legs where the bolt goes sideways through the 5/8" thick leg. Apparently
the legs are high strength 7075 aluminum. I am beginning to think that
it is not the best idea to operate the amphibs on grass strips!

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://www.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://mail.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------