TISHX SUSPENSION SYSTEM

[KevinJ]

I love competition. We all win. I’m not sure how you make Acmes much better but if there is, that bunch is thinking about it now.

 

[sea2jet]

And, this motivates Acme to improve on their product as well. I would like to know Acme’s thoughts on the spring rubbing on the shocks inner housing creating aluminum powder mixing in with the oil in the shock.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

I love competition. We all win. I’m not sure how you make Acmes much better but if there is, that bunch is thinking about it now.

Sure would be nice to have some bushwheels that don’t crack after a year

 

[Steve Pierce]

And, this motivates Acme to improve on their product as well. I would like to know Acme’s thoughts on the spring rubbing on the shocks inner housing creating aluminum powder mixing in with the oil in the shock.

I spoke to Matt and Goose at Acme yesterday. That is not aluminum but is the anodizing that rubs off as the parts wear/break in. There is wear and a bit of a break in and the piston never passes this area. I guess the fatter body and more weight of the TiSHX is the compromise for this wear issue only pointed out by the competition. I have been maintaining Acmes for many years and some with 1000 plus hours and have done nothing more than add nitrogen and had no issues. Yes, there is a TBO of 1500 hours where you send the shocks in, they rebuild them and send them back. There is also a lifetime performance warranty. You have an issue, they fix it for free. I have never seen that in aviation. I will be curious to see how the TiSHX does not being able to be serviced. My experience has been that there is always a little bit of seal leakage when operated and under pressure but time will tell.

I am interested in the valving issue Loni had. The valving of an Acme shock is unlimited, tell them what you want and they can valve it to meet your needs. I asked Matt about this and he said last he talked to Loni that he loved the shocks. There are also multiple spring options so the shock can be tailored to different geometries, lengths and gross weights.

It sounds like to me that Alaska Gear Company is building a shock to operate at the maximum gross weight of a Super Cub and Acme can be valved how you want it, kind of a boutique shop for shocks. I don't operate to the maximum performance of my airplane at max gross weight. I tend to operate more in the middle. At GW I am a lot more conservative with where I go and what I do but I know operators in Alaska are the opposite and probably laugh at me and my Super Cub. Anyway, it was good to talk to Matt and Goose and learn about shocks, suspension, their experience over the years. That is what I enjoy about this stuff, more and more to learn.

 

[sea2jet]

That’s very informative Steve. I’m glad you were able to reach out to Acme and get clarification since Acme’s design is being called into question by the competition. I have the Acme Pro’s and love them. Hard to believe anything can perform better but if there are, I welcome that as well. It sounds like TiSHX is a one and done, all size fits all shock, created to perform at gross weigh, compared to the Acme’s that can be tailor fit. I will also say that Matt, and Eric(haven’t spoken with Goose)have provided wonderful customer service before and after the sale.

 

[Steve Pierce]

I meant to include this picture of the spring and assembly.

 

[gpepperd]

Acme has the best customer service anyone could ever ask for IMHO. I’ve been using their suspension for nearly 1000 hrs. On two different aircraft, what a game changer!

 

[rc dude]

Alaska Gear Company just posted a video on Instagram comparing their shock to the Acme shock on their drop test rig. They also included the time vs position graph for both showing their shock having more rebound damping. Here's a link for those who have instagram:
Instagram link

 

[Steve Pierce]

Hmm, doesn't appear to be any gas in that shock looking at that graph. Curious what the GW, length and valving was on that Acme. Been flying with guys on Acme's for years and have never seen that rebound shown on the test video. Watching them land and no rebound is why I bought a set myself.

 

[AZinAK]

Hmm, doesn't appear to be any gas in that shock looking at that graph. Curious what the GW, length and valving was on that Acme. Been flying with guys on Acme's for years and have never seen that rebound shown on the test video. Watching them land and no rebound is why I bought a set myself.

Yeah, as with all comparison tests, I wonder how fair the results are when done by one of the owning entities. A third party test with input from the manufacturers for proper setup would be interesting. Someone that isn't "bros" or bought by any side.

 

[Steve Pierce]

I went and looked and this is the same graph Sean McLaughlin sent me in February and I posted in Post #26 in this thread.

 

[AZinAK]

This discussion got quiet...I wonder if ACME is doing anything in response or leaving the shocks as they are since there is arguably nothing wrong with them.

 

[KevinJ]

Other than sprinkling fairy dust or rubbing unicorn shit on them, I’m not sure how much better the Gen 4s could be. Maybe certify them but I bet that doesn’t happen after the hoops they had to jump thru on the Gen 3s.

 

[AZinAK]

Other than sprinkling fairy dust or rubbing unicorn shit on them, I’m not sure how much better the Gen 4s could be. Maybe certify them but I bet that doesn’t happen after the hoops they had to jump thru on the Gen 3s.

I'd hope the hoops would be fewer considering the ridiculousness the Gen 3's had to be proven to. Would be great to have the Gen 4's as an option for the Certified guys.

 

[acroeric]

Wasn't it Napoleon that said "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake"

For those of us that understand what was done in that video, that's probably accurate. When I saw that video Alaska Airframes posted I lost a lot of respect for them. They either

1) do not understand how ACME's work or
2) were intentionally misleading.

Pick one.

 

[rv6ator]

If home stereo evolution happened at the same pace as STC’d aircraft parts we’d still be listening to 8 tracks!

Vinyl is making a comeback.

 

[KevinJ]

Vinyl is making a comeback.

The same will never be said for bungees and -18s

 

[Steve Pierce]

Sure they will. There will be a resurgence of totally original like warbirds are now.

A Carbon Cub cost the same as a P51 did when I got into this business.

 

[KevinJ]

Only thing old carbon cubs and mustangs will have in common are “Kills” painted on the side except with carbon cubs, it’ll be the number of times it tried to kill itself Sort of applies to -18s also……

 

[Steve Pierce]

I have lots of pieces all around my hangar to attest to that and saw the same carnage years ago when the people who could afford a Mustang tried to fly them.

 

[DENNY]

For learning to fly bungees and regular tires are great training aids. Bushwheels and the new shocks hide a lot of crappy pilot skills.
DENNY

 

[TR Dunn]

Certified "legacy" systems perform their function for which the manufacturer and engineers intended. It is when operators lack the discipline or knowledge to remain within design parameters when problems arise. This holds true whether the topic is a computer, airfoil or landing gear. There will always be a place for products that perform their purpose just as they were designed. The J-3 and stock PA-18 are prime examples. Not everyone desires a better mousetrap.

TR

 

[drew.taylor]

For learning to fly bungees and regular tires are great training aids. Bushwheels and the new shocks hide a lot of crappy pilot skills.
DENNY

Thank goodness!

 

[DENNY]

I learned to fly in a pacer with 26 inch Goodyear tires. My bouncing was a legendary at the runway! After two years, I got a set of used 29 inch bush wheels one of my friends commented on how much better my landings were. I told them they still suck. He just couldn't tell from outside the plane.
DENNY