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Hey ummmmm, well... I was just thinkin'.

Dan Checkoway says he wouldn't bother installing one again. I have been back and forth on the subject and am currently leaning TOWARDS installing one. After all, it IS a -7 and upside down stuff is a possibility.

I recently found this on Paul Merems' site:

http://www.experimentalaero.com/flop_tube_alert.htm ...where Paul says they lose their flexability.

I plan on doing some loopie do's but primarily staying positive g's.

What is your thought on this?

CJ

What do you want to do John? Do you want to do inverted (prolonged zero or negative G stuff) or do you only want to do positive G stuff. If negative then you have to ask how long you are going to be upside down. Are you using an injected engine with inverted oil ?


-- John

Well, ya see... like I said, mostly positive G stuff. But, one I got these suckers all sealed up, full o' gas and airborne and I change my mind... it's too late.

I may just huck one in for the $hit$ and giggles of it all.

Engine choices are really quite open right now for me. That goes for the propellor too. This explains why I haven't said so much as "BOO" in the recent prop topic. I don't have a firm decision yet.

I am just wondering what others did and trying to run some hypotheticals in my head.

Opinions?

Thoughts?

Experiences?

CJ

I guess my only point was that I believe your floppy tube problem is null and void if you put a carbed engine on the plane anyway with the associated fuel delivery problem. Hey, if you want them as a just in case, go ahead. Its your plane, do what you feel inclined to do buddy. I have to hush up after that cause I'm building a 9A. You know, the painsy airplane that wont go upside down that any non-real-man can fly because the third wheel is in the front.

hahaha, You said it... I didn't!

Does this mean I can keep on needling you about the training wheel or should it stop right now?

I guess I better watch my step or I could end up BANNED!



hahaha, these new emoticons just keep on turning up everywhere you look!

CJ

TTT,

Lemme bring this one up again.

Assuming IO-360 and regular fuel pick ups (I want to maximize useable fuel) how long would I be able to remain negative without a hiccup?

I am just not convinced that the flop toobs are the right choice for me yet.

Has anyone tried this?

CJ

probably just long enough for the fuel line to drain out, about 5 saeconds or less. I put a flop tube in the left tank to take care of that problem!
Dan

While I don't plan to spend all day inverted, I did manage to put one in on my left tank. I figure I'll placard/log it as the tank to be on for inverted flights of fancy.

I decided to go regular pickup in the right tank, even though I did buy the extra flop tube. I changed my mind on doing both so that I might get more useable fuel out of the right tank since the regular pick-up sits lower.

I'd say if your thinking about it and like doing some aerobatics, then just put one flop tube in.

spike wrote:........ I have to hush up after that cause I'm building a 9A. You know, the painsy airplane that wont go upside down that any.........too shameful to quote........

Spike, I hope I am not responsible for making you feel this way I really am a milk and chocolate chip cookie kinda guy. I think it's only the 3% irresponsible people of society that are wild and crazy. Most of them just happen to be building RV's.

I am installing one on my left tank. The flop tube costs only $35, so not that big of an investment for added fun.

I put flop tubes in both tanks. I hate asymmetrical things so I do both sides the same. I figure it gives me the option of putting in inverted oil in the future, if I do much inverted flight. I figure it is easy to put in standard pickups in the future, but not flop tubes,l so I opted for flop tubes to start out. I like to build things so that I have the most options for the future.

Nope Aerial, you didn't make me feel that way at all. Actually I dont feel that way. I was being more tongue in cheek than anything

Hey Cap, you KNOW that once you get airborne you'll want to fly upside down, i can see it in your eyes.

go on, put 'em in.

LOL, well I suppose I really oughtta put one in for the helluvit!

CJ

Here's another reason for inverted flight. Spam can shooting...

[quoted from Budd Davisson's review of a Clipped Cub]

A goodly number of real hotrods have been built around the clipped Cub with 150 and 180 Lycomings shoe-horned up front...... What a blast it would be to build a 180 hp J-3 with T-craft wings. You'd use the original style open cowl, paint it yellow with the black lightning bolt and then go looking for Arrows and Cutlasses. A 180 clipped Cub is good for 160 mph in cruise and a 3,000 fpm rate of climb, or better. You'd have guys with Wichita sheet iron birds vehement at their mechanics because this dumb yellow Cub just walked away from them . . . upside down.

Gotta love it!

CJ