Forest James Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Anyone have any information about Tundra tyres for a Foxbat? It occurs to me that the configuration could be changed to a rough field capability with the larger 8" tyre for the nose and much larger Tundra tyres for the mains. With the 8" tyres all round the aircraft sits very nose high which is why I think it would sit about level with Tundra tyres. Thanks, Jim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunder Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I have the tundra tyres. They will fit on standard main rims but require a different "front end". I know of one foxbat where the main only were changed. Seemed to work fine. It is a factory option. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultralights Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 there not tundra tyres... Get a set of these under her... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDQDI Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 There is only one downside to big wheels, they cut into my visibility But they are awesome awesome awesome 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forest James Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 I have the tundra tyres. They will fit on standard main rims but require a different "front end".I know of one foxbat where the main only were changed. Seemed to work fine. It is a factory option. [ATTACH=full]33722[/ATTACH] Hi Downunder, thanks for your post, in your attachment they show the 8" tyres on the 6" wheels which are not what I had in mind. Tundra tyres are far bigger but thanks anyway, James. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forest James Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 Does anyone know of a Foxbat (Valor in the US), which is fitted with the Tundra (balloon) tyres. Thanks for your replies so far, James. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Raise the mains only. You don't want the nose up in the air when static. Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboplanner Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 There is only one downside to big wheels, they cut into my visibility But they are awesome awesome awesome. Was that the Camel's Hump? If so, have flown over it twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDQDI Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Was that the Camel's Hump? If so, have flown over it twice. Twas "wallabadah rock" one of the biggest rocks in Australia. Actually I think it is officially the second largest monolith in the Southern Hemisphere Well worth a google. Ps FH you have to be careful of prop clearance if you raise the mains too high, there are a few videos of foxbats doing short field takeoffs holding brakes with power and the prop is nice and close to the ground, big tyres at the back without beefing the front would make it closer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxFat Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Hi Downunder, thanks for your post, in your attachment they show the 8" tyres on the 6" wheels which are not what I had in mind. Tundra tyres are far bigger but thanks anyway, James. I have the standard "Tundra" tires too and I like them (except the fat nose wheel works like an anti-rudder making it hard to cruise in a straight line (well that's my excuse anyway). What sort of terrain are you planning to land on with bigger ones ? The FB is already not the fastest mode of transport...might be more like a hot air balloon with bigger tyres still. Hey..there's an idea...fill them with Helium and get more baggage in within the MTOW ! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forest James Posted January 19, 2015 Author Share Posted January 19, 2015 Thanks BoxFat, What I have is a very soft, sometimes muddy field / meadow and I don't want to rip it too much in case my friendly farmer tells me to go plough elsewhere. I think maybe the bigger 8" tyres to replace my standard tyres may be the way to go. I may have to apply for a modification approval if I go the balloon tyres route. Ps. With regard to your aircraft not flying straight, you will find tucked away near your feet a couple of movable foot pedals. I'm told they can be used in flight and will keep the tail behind the noseleg - Try it, see how you get on. ( I just wanted an excuse to use these brilliant emoticons) Thanks for your interest, James. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff13 Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Ohh is that what those are there for. I have often wondered about them but have never been game to try them!!!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forest James Posted January 19, 2015 Author Share Posted January 19, 2015 Gets a bit tiring on the legs when you've downed a few too many tinnies but it helps ward off the old DVT Ohh is that what those are there for. I have often wondered about them but have never been game to try them!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 SDQDI. Most savannha's etc sit well nose down. Having the Foxbat sitting nose high is likely to have a wheelbarrow effect or make it difficult to land the plane in gusty conditions. It likes to keep flying at ridiculously low speeds. If you are running up on brakes you should hold a fair bit of back stick to keep the weight off the nosewheel and compression of the strut, re prop clearance. Nev PS Dumping the flap after touchdown might be a good idea too. The thing needs ground spoilers. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunder Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 The massive rudder and very effective elevator allow "touch and goes" without ever touching the nose wheel at virtually any speed. On a "full stop" I retract the flap after touch down and cruise to a holt easily holding the nose off until 5 or 10 knots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza 38 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 STOL aircraft fitted with tri gear doesn't seem right to me. I prefer the conventional tail wheel set up for STOL aircraft. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forest James Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 STOL aircraft fitted with tri gear doesn't seem right to me. I prefer the conventional tail wheel set up for STOL aircraft. The Foxbat has got a tailwheel! - seriously, take a look. It is truly a STOL aircraft though - needs to be with my 230 metre field - 130 metres would be enough though as long as I have a breath of wind on the nose. They just added the nosewheel to level the aeroplane up when it's on the ground:duck for cover:James. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SrPilot Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Does anyone know of a Foxbat (Valor in the US), which is fitted with the Tundra (balloon) tyres. Thanks for your replies so far, James. I was told last week that the U.S. importer offered the option of tundra tires, but I do not know what size he had in mind. There are few A22LS Kitfoxes in the U.S.A. according to the data on the FAA's registry database. Only 10 listed and one of those is non-operational. The 3 closest to me are float planes. For us, a rare bird, but one I am trying to fly to see if it's my next plane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SrPilot Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 STOL aircraft fitted with tri gear doesn't seem right to me. I prefer the conventional tail wheel set up for STOL aircraft. I tend to agree. I like them and I built my GlaStar as a taildragger so I would feel better landing on sod, but not all STOL aircraft have to be taildraggers, do they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 The only thing you can't really do with tri gear is pin it on the ground the way you can with a tailwheel. (stick forward). Most low wing loaded STOL planes have excess lift which is hard to dump and are sensitive to gusts. One of the faults they have ,otherwise fun plane(s) Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyflyer Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 The Foxbat has got a tailwheel! - seriously, take a look. It is truly a STOL aircraft though - needs to be with my 230 metre field - 130 metres would be enough though as long as I have a breath of wind on the nose. They just added the nosewheel to level the aeroplane up when it's on the ground:duck for cover:James. Adding a little dolly wheel on the tail of a nose wheel aircraft to minimize damage if you stuff up the landing (tail strike) does not make it a tailwheel aircraft. Good as the Foxbat is, one thing it is not, is a tailwheel aircraft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertvn Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I have the tundra tyres. They will fit on standard main rims but require a different "front end".I know of one foxbat where the main only were changed. Seemed to work fine. It is a factory option. [ATTACH=full]33722[/ATTACH] Hi Downunder Can I ask what size are the tyres and/or rims and what brand are they? Cheers Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunder Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Carlisle turf glide tyres. See the wagga bike tyres add on this forum. Rims are standard Foxbat matco.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SrPilot Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Does anyone know of a Foxbat (Valor in the US), which is fitted with the Tundra (balloon) tyres. Thanks for your replies so far, James. I have the 15 x 6.00 x 6 tires - from the factory - on my late 2015 A22LS. I have not seen a true tundra setup in the U.S. but my viewing has been limited due to the numbers of A22s and the dispersed aircraft. The "tundra" tires from the factory are not what I think of when viewing back-country setups with their 28-35" (70-90 cm) tires. E.g., http://www.airframesalaska.com/Alaskan-Bushwheels-s/1477.htm Now those are what I call "tundra". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightyknots Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Adding a little dolly wheel on the tail of a nose wheel aircraft to minimize damage if you stuff up the landing (tail strike) does not make it a tailwheel aircraft. Good as the Foxbat is, one thing it is not, is a tailwheel aircraft. Well there it is: a wheel on the tail. That, in my books, makes the Foxbat/A22/Valor a tailwheel aircraft ...in addition to being a nose dragger. I think it will be hard to feet a tundra tail wheel to a Foxbat though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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