lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

Thanks for your reply. I do not doubt the safety and handling qualities as you mentioned them in your original letter(archives) and again in your response to my question.
However, a few key words in your and other's responses standout because they have important meaning for my safety. I am speaking of the comments regarding a pilot's skill and experience in relation to flying the original design stabilizer.
Being a low time pilot, I am trying to build my kit in a way that minimizes my exposure to stupid pilot errors, looking for any increase in safety margin I can grasp. Since it appears there is no safety downside to flying with the larger horizontal stabilizer, I'll use the MKII.
It appears that both styles are good enough. I appreciate everyones' comments and the experience on which the comments were based.

Tom Brand

From: marv@lancair.net
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:26:55 -0500
Subject: [LML] Re: MKII tail vs original tail??

Posted for "George Shattuck" <sgs@plantationcable.net>:

I have absolutely not changed my mind on the small tail/big tail issue. I
have 1200+ flight hours on my airplane in every conceivable flight environment
(except icing and thunderstorms) and there are simply no negative issues I can
think of regarding my small tail, original design airplane. As I remember it
the original complaints about the small tail came from the Australian aviation
authorities during efforts to certify the airplane. With a fixed pitch prop
(light) and the CG way aft it was/is possible to run out of down elevator
authority during an approach to landing. That is probably a valid critique
and would have to be dealt with by the builder in deciding how to configure
his airplane and how to operate it. I think it was necessary for Lancair to
change to the MK-II tail for marketing purposes after all the hoopla about the
small tail.

My experience with my small tail 320 has been nothing but positive, with
exhilarating performance and with no surprises in any configuration. I have
wound up with a big load of baggage and passenger and as one would guess, the
CG well aft and the airplane a bit light in the nose. As in all things in
aviation, situational awareness is always a requirement as is staying ahead of
the airplane. In any situation, staying within the limits of the envelope and
not becoming complacent are a must for flying safe.

I have never felt that the MK-II large tail was necessary to operate the
Lancair 320 safely. What is necessary is a good head on the shoulders of the
pilot, training, experience, and the ability to fly the airplane within the
established limits.

George Shattuck
N320GS

----- Original Message -----
From: marv@lancair.net
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 2:17 PM
Subject: MKII tail vs original tail??

Posted for T Brand <tbrandetc@hotmail.com>:

Would appreciate some opinions as to whether or not the MKII tail has proven
its importance and safety for the 320 series planes. Read three reports from
old (1995+) Lancair Mail Letters from pilots (whose names would be familiar
to readers) stating the change to the larger tail was not necessary and that
they were happy with the original tail size. There has been more than enough
time to confirm or challenge the necessity of upgrading to the MKII
horizontal
stabilizer.
I also read Marv's-and others- description of the problems aligning hinges,
redoing ribs and installing trim systems when adding the early version of
the
MKII horizontal stabilizer to fuselages/kits delivered in the early 1990.
I am in a position where I can build either way. Would greatly appreciate
hearing flying and building experience to support one design over the other.
Mr.'s Russell, Shattuck,..have you changed you minds?
Tom Brand
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