Gordon Misch
MEMBER
Toledo, Wa (KTDO)
Well Bob, you do know how to get me started, don't you? :lol:Gordon - so spin-up inertia doesn't affect initial adverse drag on touchdown?
Are you routinely practicing in 20 kt direct crosswinds?
Granted - the hard 26s do handle crosswinds almost as well as an 8:50, but have you tried 29s in a 20 knot direct xwind?
So - re "routine" 20 kt crosswinds, no. Routine turbulent teens crosswinds, yep. Teens gusting 20s crosswinds, sometimes. Occasional (rare) 30's cross, yep. Wind more or less down the rwy? Rare! My understanding is that when KTDO was built during WW2, it was deliberately oriented for military crosswind practice.
Re the tires - I switch around between 26 bushwheels, 31 bushwheels, and 8.50s. Never 29s. I haven't noticed a difference in crosswind handling between those tires. But never really looked for a difference either.
Re spinup, sure it's there, but to my senses it's negligible - I simply don't feel it. For fun, go do some one-wheel landings with no crosswind, then with the new tires do it again and see what it feels like to you. Granted, the J3 is lighter than the -12, so any difference between tires would be a little more pronounced in the J3.
If I get ambitious, maybe I'll do some comparative calcs and email 'em to you. Just for grins and giggles. I'd need your operating weight and CG as measured from the axles.