lead tail ballast

On 31 Oct 2006 16:18:23 -0800, "Frank Whiteley"
wrote:

A friend recently got a brass tailwheel for his DG300. The specific
gravity of brass is about 8.5, stainless steel 7.7, aluminum 2.64.
Just might work if your PIK has a tail wheel and any voids in the
aluminum wheel could be filled in a brass or stainless replacement.

Frank Whiteley

Jay wrote:
One of our local PIK-20D pilots - who happens to own a machine shop -
replaced the aluminum tail wheel with a stainless steel tail wheel that
he manufactured himself. Perfectly balanced and just about exactly the
weight you are looking for. If you care to contact me directly, I will
put you in touch.

wrote:
Over the years ,my PIK20D ,not to mention my self ,has gained some
weight.
The cg with me aboard is now located forward of the mid range although
still
within limits.

I would like to add about 6 pounds of lead to the tail to shift the cg
to the rear
half of the allowable range. Anyone know the best way to attach the
lead tail
ballast?








------------

pik20_d9


I purchased a BRASS tailwheel from DG, out of Calistoga CA. Cost me
~$90, but was plug and Play for my DG200's tailwheel. The entire
weight of the wheel, tube and tire came to 6.9 lbs, with the wheel
itself weighing in at 6 lbs even.

Ron (RW) wrote:
I purchased a BRASS tailwheel from DG, out of Calistoga CA. Cost me
~$90, but was plug and Play for my DG200's tailwheel. The entire
weight of the wheel, tube and tire came to 6.9 lbs, with the wheel
itself weighing in at 6 lbs even.

That must have been long ago, or Oliver is clearing them out of his
shop, as they cost something like 350 euros new from the factory. I had
a local machine shop turn one for me a few years back for $120 (most of
the cost was the brass), they took some measurements off the plastic
wheel, and had it for me the next day...

Marc

Hi,

A few years back I wanted to add weight to the tail of the Ventus B I was
part owner in at the time. The US Schempp-Hirth dealer at the time (Knauff
and Grove) sold me a lead weight that fit between the top of the fin and the
bottom of the horizontal stabilizer. It was very easy to install and remove
quickly. It worked great. It made it possible for me to fly the glider in
a much better CG location. One of my partners in the glider was much
lighter than me so he flew without the weight installed.

However, I must admit that as a mechanical engineer I was concerned about
putting so much weight (5 to 10 lbs? - I don't recall) up high on the fin.
In a ground loop or hard off-airport landing it would put a lot of twisting
force onto the tailboom. But it was never a problem.

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"Marc Ramsey" wrote in message
...
Ron (RW) wrote:
I purchased a BRASS tailwheel from DG, out of Calistoga CA. Cost me
~$90, but was plug and Play for my DG200's tailwheel. The entire
weight of the wheel, tube and tire came to 6.9 lbs, with the wheel
itself weighing in at 6 lbs even.

That must have been long ago, or Oliver is clearing them out of his shop,
as they cost something like 350 euros new from the factory. I had a local
machine shop turn one for me a few years back for $120 (most of the cost
was the brass), they took some measurements off the plastic wheel, and had
it for me the next day...

Marc

" Ron (RW) wrote:
I purchased a BRASS tailwheel from DG, out of Calistoga CA. Cost me
~$90, but was plug and Play for my DG200's tailwheel. The entire
weight of the wheel, tube and tire came to 6.9 lbs, with the wheel
itself weighing in at 6 lbs even.


I would be concious of the polar moments of the weight.
It is possible to be in the cg range and at the same time
exceeed the ability of the aircraft to make a spin recovery.
My first choice would be sliding the pilot back a bit by
making the chute and seat pan mode to get there. If
when you run out of rudder pedal adjustment, there is
always the use of "pads" on the pedals.

Have a great day

Scott

wrote:
Over the years ,my PIK20D ,not to mention my self ,has gained some
weight.
The cg with me aboard is now located forward of the mid range although
still
within limits.

I would like to add about 6 pounds of lead to the tail to shift the cg
to the rear
half of the allowable range. Anyone know the best way to attach the
lead tail
ballast?








------------

pik20_d9

Is there an oxygen bottle tray in the boom as there is in the B model?
If so, could you add weight there? Of course, it would require more than
the 6 pounds that you planned on.

Paul