Debating on one for the new champ, any PIREPS, success with field approvals?

I’ve had 2 of them. I built a Rans S7 and put the T3 on it, fabulous. I now have a Bearhawk Patrol that I converted from its stinger tailgear to a T3, fabulous. I had the S7 for a couple of years (sold it) and have had the T3 on the Patrol for around 5 years. Nothing but praise. I land the Patrol on 35” bushwheels on some gravel bars with big rocks, big enough that I’m glad I have 35s, not 31s. My tailwheel is an 8” Bearhawk, the small one. I wheel land, keeping the tail off as long as possible. When the tail comes down, the T3 soaks up those rocks with ease, I’m impressed. On the other end of the spectrum, I occasionally land on pavement and have never had a shimmy on either of my T3 equipped aircraft, not one. For me, it’s awesome.
Mike

I'm interested in your comparison of the T3 versus the Stinger. The latter is STC'd for the Husky but the former isn't. Field approvals are technically possible but not really a practical option in Canada so I've been considering the Stinger. Your experience would helpful. Thanks in advance!

I have a few months now on mine (Maule). Love it! It makes a huge difference, much smoother off pavement

Belloypilot wrote:I'm interested in your comparison of the T3 versus the Stinger. The latter is STC'd for the Husky but the former isn't. Field approvals are technically possible but not really a practical option in Canada so I've been considering the Stinger. Your experience would helpful. Thanks in advance!

Not sure if you've purchased yet or not Mike, but the T3 is just an awesome piece of kit. Worth every penny.

A1Skinner wrote:

Belloypilot wrote:I'm interested in your comparison of the T3 versus the Stinger. The latter is STC'd for the Husky but the former isn't. Field approvals are technically possible but not really a practical option in Canada so I've been considering the Stinger. Your experience would helpful. Thanks in advance!

Not sure if you've purchased yet or not Mike, but the T3 is just an awesome piece of kit. Worth every penny.

I bought the Stinger. Rumors of a forthcoming STC for the T3 on the Husky turned out to be just that - rumors. I’m happy with the Stinger but haven’t flown a T3 so can’t really compare.

Thoughts on the stinger over the standard spring?

Flying Dave wrote:Thoughts on the stinger over the standard spring?

The tail sits a bit higher, which makes 3 point takeoffs shorter in my case (31” bushwheels and VGs).

Sure seems solid. I’ve done a fair bit of off airport stuff with it since installing it about a year ago and it sure seems gentle on the airframe. No drama at all when rolling the tailwheel on first.

Not the weight penalty I feared. Probably not much difference from a 3 leaf spring. I had been using Thomas D’s one piece spring, and it’s a couple pounds heavier than that.

In short, it seems robust, forgiving, and helped my takeoff performance a bit. I call that a success.

Belloypilot wrote:

Flying Dave wrote:Thoughts on the stinger over the standard spring?

The tail sits a bit higher, which makes 3 point takeoffs shorter in my case (31” bushwheels and VGs).

Sure seems solid. I’ve done a fair bit of off airport stuff with it since installing it about a year ago and it sure seems gentle on the airframe. No drama at all when rolling the tailwheel on first.

Not the weight penalty I feared. Probably not much difference from a 3 leaf spring. I had been using Thomas D’s one piece spring, and it’s a couple pounds heavier than that.

In short, it seems robust, forgiving, and helped my takeoff performance a bit. I call that a success.

Interesting that it makes you takeoffs shorter Mike. In theory a lower tail, which increases your angle of attack should make your takeoff shorter. Unless its just the right amount where its actually increasing drag. Very interesting, but great PIREP.

A1Skinner wrote:

Belloypilot wrote:

Flying Dave wrote:Thoughts on the stinger over the standard spring?

The tail sits a bit higher, which makes 3 point takeoffs shorter in my case (31” bushwheels and VGs).

Sure seems solid. I’ve done a fair bit of off airport stuff with it since installing it about a year ago and it sure seems gentle on the airframe. No drama at all when rolling the tailwheel on first.

Not the weight penalty I feared. Probably not much difference from a 3 leaf spring. I had been using Thomas D’s one piece spring, and it’s a couple pounds heavier than that.

In short, it seems robust, forgiving, and helped my takeoff performance a bit. I call that a success.

Interesting that it makes you takeoffs shorter Mike. In theory a lower tail, which increases your angle of attack should make your takeoff shorter. Unless its just the right amount where its actually increasing drag. Very interesting, but great PIREP.

I think it’s the ‘just the right amount’ effect. With better technique I probably could have matched performance with the lower tail height but it seems to be in a sweet spot now and just flys off effortlessly. A different airplane, different CG, probably a different result. Likely more of a happy coincidence in my case than a design feature of the Stinger.

Cheers

Mike