Comment

Comment by Sebastien Heintz on December 13, 2011 at 3:52pm

Ken - not for now.  The 801 nosewheel is bigger / heavier.

Comment by Ken Duncan on December 13, 2011 at 2:33pm

Is this something that will be manufactured for the 801 also?  Thanks  Ken

Comment by Sebastien Heintz on December 13, 2011 at 2:20pm

Phil:  This was released back in May 2011: NEW STOL Nosewheel Fork Assembly (listed under Updates) The rounded fork is now supplied in the current kit and replaces the "square" fork.  While it's a little lighter, the main reason we offer it is for better looks:

"The new aluminum fork is rounded to follow the shape of the large nosewheel and is slightly lighter than the fork it replaces (on earlier models).  The bottom nosegear strut plate is also rounded to conform to the shape of the new rounded nosegear fork, and is supplied with the cut-out to accommodate the above simple tow bar, available as an option.  The new nosegear fork is incorporated in STOL CH 750 Edition 2 drawings and kits.

"Note: The new nosewheel assembly is not a required change or upgrade for existing builders and owners.  Existing owners of the STOL CH 701 and CH 750 who wish to update their nosewheel assembly can have their existing nose strut updated by Zenith Aircraft Co. (for approx. $75) and the fork may be purchased separately ($148)."

Comment by Phil Smith on December 13, 2011 at 12:06pm

Roger,

Have noticed on recent videos and pictures that you have changed the nose wheel fork on the 701.  Is this a change on the "newer kits"?  Why the change and if it is better is the new fork available and will it fit on as a retrofit to older designs made of the two pieces of aluminum.

If it is available, how difficult and to what extent is the change ie. whole new strut or just the newer fork bolted up to the old strut.  You could respond here for others and also drop me an email at madriver42@gmail.com.

Thanks

Phil

Comment by Sebastien Heintz on November 14, 2011 at 3:50pm

Seb Dewhurst:  We've made custom nosewheel forks in the past to accommodate custom larger nosewheels.  I believe we did this for Christopher Desmond's two STOL CH 701 planes.  This fork is taller by several inches, not only to fit the larger nosewheel but also to further raise the nose of the aircraft (due to the big Alaska Bushwheels on the mains):

 

 

Comment by Shay King on October 21, 2011 at 11:57pm

Is there much of a weight and cruise speed penalty with the bigger tyres?
And as above, will it be possible to fit the larger tyre on the nosewheel also?
Shay King.

Comment by Sebastian Dewhurst on October 21, 2011 at 11:13am

Any plans to offer a front fork that would accomodate a larger tire such as this?

Comment by Sebastien Heintz on October 21, 2011 at 7:48am

Kevin: In theory you can land at a higher angle of attack if with the bigger tires because the higher tail allows you to rotate more (increase the angle), but the STOL design already allows for a very high angle:

Comment by Kevin Thorp on October 20, 2011 at 5:20pm

Can you land at a higher angle of attack with the big tires?

Comment by Sebastien Heintz on October 20, 2011 at 3:47pm

Yes, as noted by Mark Sherman, this is a tire from Desser Aircraft Tire & Rubber.  This tire is made in the USA specifically for Light Sport / Experimental planes, and sells for $95.00 each.  These are "real" 4-ply aircraft tires with some serious (and heavier) rubber on them. 
We have them installed, tubeless, on the STOL CH 701 / 750's standard 6-inch Matco wheel, with the recommended 15 PSI.  We only have them mounted on the main gear, and we have not changed the nosewheel.  This raises the tail approx. two inches.
With this 21-inch tire on the Matco wheel, each tire weighs approx. 3.5 lbs more than the standard Carlisle (adding about 7 lbs. total weight). 
Compared to the Matco 8-inch wheel with the 21-inch treadless tire (a standard option offered on the STOL CH 801), the extra weight is only 1 pound per wheel (two pounds total).

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