Captain Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 Does anyone have any accurate or factual tests of the performance of their J (any type will do) with and without spats? What I am looking for, if possible, is: 1 With & without all three. 2 All 3 on vs the 2 removed from the main gear (nose spat still on). Hope someone can help on the above and if you want to add any other observations or your experience re spats they would be most welcome ................ particularly - if existing owners were to do a trip up thru the centre primarily via dirt strips would you leave your spats on? Regards Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilfred Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 We have no spats on the J200 The airfield we operate out of gets a bit sticky when it rains and it is easier to leave them off than battle with them when they clog up with mud. There is no measurable difference in speed without them. There are claims of between one and three knots difference but we have been unable to note a measurable difference . We even put them back on one day to try some tests over the same conditions and no real difference. I guess its pretty hard to pick up a knot or two difference on your instruments. They (all three) have been off now for over a year and they are tied to the wall in the hanger and will only go back on when we sell the aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigPete Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 I too am pantless (look Ma no spats!) Doesn't seem to make any difference (J160c) I'm cruising at 2800 revs and about 92/93 knots ASI. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brentc Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 I think there was a couple of knots in it on my J400, but no more. Where I did notice the difference was the aircraft felt like it was 'hitting the wall' at the higher speed and wouldn't go any faster. For example, if I pushed the nose forward it was hitting the wall at 130 knots, but with them on it was hitting closer to 140 with relative ease. It was only really noticeable when fiddling around in anything other than straight and level flight. I've had the rears off quite a few times and haven't noticed much difference however I can't help but feel that they slow me down. The trick is to attach them with around 8+ screws with fixed locking nuts. Placing foam inside the back just behind the tire and glassing it in will help also. The Jabiru original ones have a tendency to split down the middle if you haven't joined them well enough. There are 6 sets lying around at the school at Tooradin as they can't stand up to training there on the bitumen so I'd hate to see what gravel might do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Biggles1 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Determine whether you want a LITTLE more speed or a lot more convenience. You are all right. At the higher speeds they make a difference. On a C206 (300hp) they made a difference of 7kts at a cruise speed of 135Kts. So you have to determine what you are going to use your aircraft for - cross country or chooffing around. In the main, the trouble they cause, (mud, bukkdust, tyre inspections, falling apart and mending punctures) they are not worth worrying about them. I was a bush pilot, so I'm talking from experience (Birdsville Marree Andamooka Coober Pedy etc) and if I was going in a Jab I'd leave them home. It is the same as taking the hubcaps off your car, or putting on white wall tyres - look good, do nought! Brentc's gought the right idea but you'll leave your with Lassiter. Biggles1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 I agreed with Biggles1, Geoff. good for looks no good in the Bush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DonC Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 On my J230 at 2850rpm 120 kts true on - 117 kts true off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Posted April 11, 2007 Author Share Posted April 11, 2007 Thanks to you all for your replies. That is exactly what I was after. As I'll be operating off a farm strip here, albeit a pretty good one, they'll be off. Guess I can turn up a shorter aluminium keeper-bush for the end of the axles if the spats are not required. It could then maybe take the item as per the PS below. Looks like you need to put your avatar thru photohop Pete .... to make it pantless there. Regards & thanks again Geoff PS there was an article on the UK J site about a circular fibreglass cover over the outside of the rim which they claim makes a goodly difference ........... maybe that would get a speed result somewhere between clothed and naked without the hastles. Has anyone tried that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Big Pete may be able to shed some light on this, as he has them fited Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigPete Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Guys - I was disappointed in the quality - cost me around 150 aussie dollars including freight. Make your own either 'glass or spun aluminum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 Peter What did they do to speed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigPete Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Captian - boy your quick - as far as I can tell NOTHING. But it looks good. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 OK .... thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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