Dumb & Dumber

Piper may have changed their ways. As I recall the leading edge of the
J-3 stabalizer was a solid steal tube, perfect for pushing on (which is
not unusual when pulling taildraggers since you can't steer if you push
from the front of the aircraft). It also had a handle right under it to
help you.

-Robert


Jay Honeck wrote:
As we were preparing to depart the Quad Cities Air Show yesterday (an
outstanding show, BTW, with the Blue Angels and perfect spring weather), I
became aware of a Piper Warrior having difficulty a few aircraft down from
us.

In article .com,
"Robert M. Gary" wrote:

Piper may have changed their ways. As I recall the leading edge of the
J-3 stabalizer was a solid steal tube, perfect for pushing on (which is
not unusual when pulling taildraggers since you can't steer if you push
from the front of the aircraft). It also had a handle right under it to
help you.

The propper method is to pick the tail up by the handle and push/pull
the aircraft. No one should push on the vertical or horizontal
stabilizer to manuever the aircraft on the ground.

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Piper may have changed their ways. As I recall the leading edge of the
J-3 stabalizer was a solid steal tube, perfect for pushing on (which is

That is the absolute worst place to push. Most owners would excuse you from
the vicinity of their J3 forever if you tried such a dumb stunt.


not unusual when pulling taildraggers since you can't steer if you push
from the front of the aircraft). It also had a handle right under it to
help you.

I have no problem steering my taildragger when pushing from the front.

-Robert

Dave Stadt wrote:
"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Piper may have changed their ways. As I recall the leading edge of the
J-3 stabalizer was a solid steal tube, perfect for pushing on (which is

That is the absolute worst place to push. Most owners would excuse you from
the vicinity of their J3 forever if you tried such a dumb stunt.

I'm not sure what the basis of your statement is. I just know that when
I had the J-3 the mechanic showed me this as the proper way to get it
over the grass hump and into the shade hanger. Pulling on the handle
was very hard to get leverage to pull the plane through the grass. I'm
basing my understanding on what the mechanic told me to do (I don't
consider that basis to be "dumb" in your words). On what do you base
your understanding?

-Robert

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
ups.com...

Dave Stadt wrote:
"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Piper may have changed their ways. As I recall the leading edge of the
J-3 stabalizer was a solid steal tube, perfect for pushing on (which is

That is the absolute worst place to push. Most owners would excuse you
from
the vicinity of their J3 forever if you tried such a dumb stunt.

I'm not sure what the basis of your statement is. I just know that when
I had the J-3 the mechanic showed me this as the proper way to get it
over the grass hump and into the shade hanger. Pulling on the handle
was very hard to get leverage to pull the plane through the grass. I'm
basing my understanding on what the mechanic told me to do (I don't
consider that basis to be "dumb" in your words). On what do you base
your understanding?

-Robert

Look at the way that NOT solid 'steal' tube is attached to the airframe and
common sense says hands off. If I believed everything mechanics told me I
would have been killed at least 10 times.

So if you do not trust the A&P to tell you what part of the aircraft is
structurally sound enough what do you base your assertion on? Do you
completely disassemble every aircraft you fly and evaluate the
engineering design and structure of the entire aircraft yourself? Did
you require yourself to earn your structural engineernig degree before
working on your private? I'm still challenging your assertion that
trusting an A&P makes a pilot "dumb" and that only those of you
enlightened enough to have something you have yet to share with us
are not "dumb".

-Robert

Dave Stadt wrote:
"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
ups.com...
Look at the way that NOT solid 'steal' tube is attached to the airframe and
common sense says hands off. If I believed everything mechanics told me I
would have been killed at least 10 times.

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
ups.com...
So if you do not trust the A&P to tell you what part of the aircraft is
structurally sound enough what do you base your assertion on?

Haven't flown a lot of airplanes but the J3 is one in which I do have time.
I do learn the structure and method of assembly of each plane I fly.

Do you
completely disassemble every aircraft you fly and evaluate the
engineering design and structure of the entire aircraft yourself? Did
you require yourself to earn your structural engineernig degree before
working on your private? I'm still challenging your assertion that
trusting an A&P makes a pilot "dumb" and that only those of you
enlightened enough to have something you have yet to share with us
are not "dumb".

I tend to trust no single source including A&Ps. Never know if the one you
are talking to graduated first or last in the class. Some are outstanding
and some are simply wrench twisters and not very good at that.

-Robert

Dave Stadt wrote:
"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
ups.com...
Look at the way that NOT solid 'steal' tube is attached to the airframe
and
common sense says hands off. If I believed everything mechanics told me
I
would have been killed at least 10 times.