Sierra - NZ

[johnm]

The following is purely in the interest of Tecnam chatter:

 

Went to Blenheim NZ - Omaka strip - the other day and flew a Tecnam Sierra twice - always wanted to. I have 200 hours on a Bravo so wanted to see the difference. Not much difference really - the main one being the wing is low and the prop is high - this seems to keep the nose wheel firmly on the ground - whereas the Bravo the wing is high and the prop is low - so the nose comes up fast

 

The Omaka aeroclub had a collapsed nosewheel so they beefed it up - photos attached - but they show 2 plates each side with 3 horizontal 12 ? dia steel members - it is robust construction - the factory made nose wheel assembly on the Tecnams seems a bit light. Mind you, every forum seems to talk about nose wheel assemblies (even the mighty Jabiru) so its a common thing - maybe even a bit of pilot paranoia

 

Anyway all said and done - I still think a Tecnam is a good plane and worth the 'extra' you have to spend to fly one

 

From memory the flying rate was $ 120 - $ 150 NZ for the Sierra - in comparison they had some Piper Tomahawks - they where $ 180 / hour

 

This particular Sierra was solid with power on, but when reducing power there was this marvellous murmuring and grating coming from the front end - this unkown noise was obvious to the instructor that was with me also - I pass no comment but its a reminder that the Rotax / reduction gearbox has a minimum idle rpm to avoid any wear - approx 1500 ? minimum idle - I once have had the minimum idle adjusted to 2000 - but that was to high - the plane did not want to land

 

While preflighting the Tecnam I heard a shout saying 'can you give us a push' - went there and pushed out a P40 Kittyhawk ? - this one is based at Masterton - Hood aerodrome. I think that day he took 7 passengers for a half hour ride - $ 1300 each ride. I can now say I have pushed a P40 (but have not flown one yet)