New to the forum here and trying to obtain some info on the MiniMax. Hoping to build a V-Max at some point. Couple items I haven't been able yet to locate. Does anyone have a good feel as what to expect glide ratio wise and best glide speed for a V-Max.
Do the MiniMax bird do well in a dead-stick situation?
One other question being the rather non-compliant main gear. In a hard landing, what component typically would yield first (and is it an easy repair)?
I've been told to look between your feet, as that is where you are coming down. The glide ratio is very poor, so use a closer pattern or make sure that you always have a place to put down close by.
The hard landing thing depends on whether you build a Hi Max or a Mini Max. Generally the gear seems to break and the side of the fuse as well. In a minimax, the struts will either bend, or end up breaking the wing attach points.
This can be mitigated a little bit in a hi-max by using spring gear.
The gear hinges on a hard landing and the strengthening pad above the front of the gear leg. Beyond that it becomes a crash and that means damage. Dead stick, trim for sixty mph and get the round out right or else. They glide like bricks!
Hoping to build a V-Max at some point. Couple items I haven't been able yet to locate. Does anyone have a good feel as what to expect glide ratio wise and best glide speed for a V-Max.
Do the MiniMax bird do well in a dead-stick situation?
I don't have any experience with a Mini-max but had an Airbike for a few years. I expect they fly a lot alike.
My best glide speed was around 45-50 mph and the rate of descent was 500 fpm...giving a glide ratio of around 8-9 to 1.
Dead sticks are easy as long as you don't get slow. Keep 55-60 on final approach and don't round out until you are ready to land. The speed pays off quickly and the plane won't glide far.
I use to routinely shut down the engine and land with no problem.
A 250 fpm rate of descent at 45 mph is about 15:1 glide ratio. I think he's getting better than 10:1, which seems about right given that the Mini-max has less drag than an Airbike.
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I usually make my short final approach speed around 45mph. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING to remember is the low inertia of the aircraft, without power, the smallest backward movement of the stick has the speed off instantly and it's too late to recover it. Also, a stationary prop = airbrake!
I have dead sticked my Taylorcraft twice, my old Shadow microlight several times and a PA28 once. The PA28 was the scariest because the stationary prop required a lot more nose down attitude than any practice force landing with windmilling prop and that really didn't seem right and the temptation to pull back was strong but the old mantra "Airspeed airspeed airspeed" saved my bacon!
Think of a bit of excess airspeed as money in the bank should you experience the "Big Quiet". It's really easy and quick to bleed it off of a Max when the moment comes. A forceful yank back on the stick quickly converts the draggy Max into a massive air brake, and you won't recover from it near the ground. But if there's a tree or post in your immediate future, it could be very handy.
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