Mon, Apr 07, 2003
Electrically Operated Amphibian
By ANN Correspondent John Ballantyne
The M-Squared display at the EAA Sun 'n Fun fly-in hosts a
Hawaiian theme to emphasize the fun their products represent. That
was appropriate for the release of their newest product:
electrically retractable, amphibious landing gear. For the show it
was the Sprint 1000 which had the new electrically operated
retractable landing gear.
"Our design evolved from a manually operated nautical-based of
block-and-tackle arrangement. That system worked well except for
those with limited strength to pull the retract line. For those we
created the push-button system using a motor designed specifically
for nautical purpose," explains Paul Mather, M-Squared's founder
and president.
"The use of stainless steel axles and Delran bushings (less
friction and wear than plastic) provide for a clean, long lived
design," Paul continues.
The takeoff and landing technique on wheels is reported to be
sailplane-like because of the center wheel arrangement. The rear
portion of the Lotus floats has been reinforced to support the
plane during the initial phase of take-off and the last of the
landing phases. This is a landing gear for grass, not hard surface
because of the necessity to allow the rear of the floats to settle.
Water technique is unaffected by the addition of the electric
wheeled gear.
"The unit is adaptable to any plane with Full Lotus floats,"
says the factory.
M-Squared produces 2 models of tube & fabric, strut-braced
aircraft. One and two-seater versions are available. They are one
of very few manufacturers who sell their aircraft fully factory
assembled thereby appealing to those who are not enthused by boxes
of tubes and hardware. M-Squared offers ROTAX and HKS power units
with options of floats and skis.
FMI: M-Squared, PO Box 457, 10050 A Hwy 90 West, St Elmo, AL
36568. 251 957-1533 phone and fax.
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