lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

The notion that having more surface area on the ground increases friction and should dampen shimmy makes sense to me --- friction induced dampening. Yet, others say increasing the pressure makes shimmy go away. What gives?

The apparently black art nature of this beast called shimmy is very frustrating. Could it be that changes either up or down in pressure from shimmy-prone pressures change the oscillation frequency so as to avoid hitting the frequency that develops into shimmy?

There must be answers to these questions.

Baffled.

On 9/12/05, ken C <kbcov@northlink.com> wrote:

I was told when building my 360 to keep tire pressure in the nose gear between 28&32 ibs.In my E.S. I put max.35 lbs.and have never had a problem in shimmy or tire wear.It only makes sense the more friction on the runway the less chance of shimmy.55lbs is way to much.

In my E.S. I try to have 80kts fence speed.Makes for smoother touchdowns.On short field 70kts and it will settle much faster.I very seldom use full flaps.

I also noticed in the brochure stall speeds @ 57 m.p.h.And my stalls were indicating 57kts.I installed stall strips,and get a tad indication before brake,which I must admit is very mild.I can hold the stall for a long time with rudder.The diff.between clean and dirty is minimal.

Ken Covington E.S. N550kb