Who know the answer to this one?

[Zigzag]

Anyone who might be able to tell me which aircraft handles better in more turbulent conditions. eg trike or something like a Thunderbird or Bantam? Two completely different aeries but which of them is more forgiving in such conditions? Sorry for what seems to be a dumb question for most of you, but it's how we learn.

[kloot piloot]

As long as there is the correct airspeed and the required amount of thrust there is no difference in how a trike wing or a thunderbird wing handles turbulence. In fact the design of the delta wing (trike) is such that it will require less pilot input before it ends in a spin, crisis or death defying spiral.

BUT: 3-axis (thunderbird) is physically less demanding in turbulence and a 3-axis is probably less demanding mentally as well.

In a trike turbulence feels worse due to the delayed pendulum effect under a trike wing.

"In" a three axis, your body is much closer to the centres of movement. In a trike your body is 1.5 meter "under" the centre of movement (pendulum).

Answer: 3 axis less workload in turbulence flying.

[Big-D]

Agreed that trike probably physically more work - But hey, I love going to the gym and turbulant days in a trike is a good workout

Big difference in the turbalance handling ability between trikes - Windlass vs Aquila vs Blade vs Quick R - Day and night difference

In general 3 axis probably less work in the bumps



D

[Zigzag]

Guys
Thanks a lot for the info it really has helped me a lot. Seems to make things a lot clearer. I have always wondered what the difference between MANNE who fly trikes and MENSE who fly 3 axis or the other way around........ .
I am currently training on a trike and loving it, but have given a lot of thought about the CCM planes as well.
Generally what I have found, is that it is a matter of opinion among the people but your advice has helped somewhat.
Thanks and cheers

[apollolight]

Also importantly comes down to wing loading, aircraft with a higher wing loading and more weight will handle turbulence better...Va, design maneuvering speed moves up as weight increases

Wing loading is in a nutshell the weight of the aircraft devided by the wing area, and you will find that the typical weight shift has a lower wing loading than the typical 3 axis.. and as such will be more effected by turbulence...

Wing loading will effect performance too, like landing and takeoff distance climb rates and turn rates..

That is why demon has a smoother ride his new wing enjoys a higher wing loading (less area)

Gyrocopters have a very high wing (disk) loading and are even less so effected by turbulence

[Big-D]

Zigzag

It is very common for a low hour trike pilot to feel overwhelmed by turbulence. You are still busy with your licence right? I had the same thing and even after 100 hours on trikes the turbs drove me crazy.

I can honestly tell you that eventually turbalence (within reason) does not matter anymore - You will lose your fear of it with experience and bumps (within reason) are not dangerous, you merely need to get used to them

My advice to you is see what you enjoy most between trikes and 3-axis when the weather is calm - You will get used to bumps eventually - Trust me, I am a pilot(!!)

D

[ICEMAN]

a t/bird is far less physically demanding in high cross winds and bumps but requires more "co-ordination" between hands and feet than a trike...

[John Boucher]

I'd much rather be in my Cheetah than in a Trike is seriously turbulent conditions....

[Kalahari]

I'd much rather be in my Cheetah than in a Trike is seriously turbulent conditions....

Agreed, I've been in situations where turbulence turned me 180 degrees in a trike, so I was going back to where I came from, if you are looking for a good workout, a trike in turbulence is the way to go!

[John Boucher]

Tell me guys... what happens if you should for some unfit reason get "forearm-muscle pump" ?

Has this happened to anyone by any chance flying a trike?

[bryan]

I have not had muscle pump on my arms yet but definitely had cramps in my arse in turbulence.Ek is n bang gat!

[Zigzag]

Hi Guys
I'm doing the Mpl WCM (Trikes) at the moment and will complete it. I then want to do a conversion onto CCM (3 Axis) so that I can be rated on both. BUT when it comes to splashing out the loot on a plane for myself, I need to think carefully as to which one. My misses went up for an intro flight the same time I did with the idea of doing her license as well (together) however the end result for her and us is that we have a new planet in our solar system due to turbulence. Needless to say it is just me that has continued on with the license. She also prompted me to ask this question initially, she wants to go up again but says she doesn't trust herself actually doing the flying. She's pushing for a fixed wing CCM (Thunderbird etc..)

Now you know the whole story. She also checks the forum to see the replies.

Thanks dudes for the comments it's great to see a spirited bunch of okes.

P.S My son is 7 and all he wants to do is go up in the trike. (With the instructor of course). Do you advise it or not?

[John Boucher]

But of course... get the lad up in the sky with an instructor sooner or later you may have your son dragging you out of bed and forcing you to go to the airfield! By the way, I took our little one up when she was a little over 3 going on 4. She is crazy about flying! I do suggest though that this gets done in awesome calm conditions.

Get your softness to go up in a CCM... she may experience it in a different way as to weight-shift and enjoy it so....

The idea for me to promote is to make it a family affair and that everyone share the passion (otherwise you may have a ball & chain at home either nagging you to sell the plane and stay at home or chasing you out of the house because you are not welcome there when you talk wings, propellers) You would as to say experience other turbulence!

[Petrodactyl]

I was taught from the beginning of my trike training to hold onto the bar lightly and if turbulence rips it out of your grip, let it. I have on occasion been klapped on the shoulder by the training bars, but only in very extreme conditions. It is a difficult thing to do at first, but if you can learn to relax your mind and then your grip in turbulence, it will reduce stress, you will not exhaust yourself. You will be able to remain more alert and will fly better.

Most aircraft are very forgiving, and will fly much better than you can in turbulence - so you have to learn to let them. Watch your knuckles - if they are turning white, you are gripping too hard.

My 2c

[Zigzag]

Hi Christian

It seems that what you say is a golden rule. I am being taught the same thing, to relax that is. The only problem seems to be training one's mind and instinct that will normally fight the aircraft and turbs to just relax. I find that loosening your grip works well for me now and if I am ever in a situation I loosen my grip and the plane corrects itself, I then just put it back on course. Sometimes when you are up there this seems easier said than done, but I guess it will come with experience.