On 10/7/2009 8:02 AM, Stealth Pilot wrote:
On Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:02:32 +0000, jan olieslagers
wrote:



So allow me to repeat the question: what kind and amount of work would
it take to convert a taildragger Avid Flyer to tricycle?

simple answer ...goes for any taildragger to milkstool conversion.

determin CG position.

cut fuselage apart and move the main gear rearward of the cg and weld
new mounts in position.

either replace the engine mount with one beefed up to support the new
nosewheel
or
cut apart and modify the forward fuselage to take the new nosewheel
mount.

this is probably major surgery on the airframe and will involve a
structural savvy aeronautical engineer to design the mods.

now speaking as a taildragger pilot myself it would be far better if
you polished those stainless steel testicles of yours and went and got
a taildragger endorsement.
you'll never regret mastering the change back to real aeroplanes.
they are lighter, they have less drag, and no matter the swagger of
the milkstool pilot you'll be way cooler.(you wont even need raybans
to look cooler)

Stealth Pilot

and much safer in and out of rough field, IMO.