Shocks on SS XL

For general discussion of the Just Aircraft family of aircraft.
Includes: Highlander, Escapade, Summit and SuperSTOL.
Post Reply
User avatar
BDA
Veteran Member
Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Shocks on SS XL

Post by BDA »

I bought my SS XL kit in 2016

It came with 1 1/2” Acme Aero shocks

So after i was done building they looked a little squishy and ridin low so I added gas and flew it (summer) and all was good.
Kind of, they worked but I had to run 550 psi to keep it from ridin low. Acme told me thos shocks are not made for a plane that heavy(1,000#), and the seals arent made for 550psi.
So I asked them to trade me out for larger shaft shocks - but I got the runaround for 5 months.

So a few weeks ago I made a very slow approach and a standard plop landing, and one of the shocks partially collapsed, enough that I caught grass in my wing tip.

It was as close as it can get to ground loop w out wrecking the plane. So I wonky taxied over and parked w one wing tip about 24” off the ground - thats embarasing, but I was pretty happy it wasnt bent.

So I called Troy and I had new 2 1/4” TK1 shocks a few days later (in Alaska), now thats good service.

I put the TK1s on yesterday, HOLY COW!! The larger shaft shocks are SOOOOOO much better on this heavy plane.
I put 280psi in them and when I pull down on a wing, it rebounds instantly, small Acme ones did not.

Ride height is also a foot higher. So take offs are going to be shorter.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
User avatar
BucF16
Veteran Member
Posts: 463
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:47 am
Location: Alexandria, Ohio

Re: Shocks on SS XL

Post by BucF16 »

They look Great Shawn!

4 or 5 years ago at OSH I saw Coltin Brown's Highlander takeoff in 70% the distance of Gary Schmidt"s SS. I walked over and measured the angle of incidence while parked (I used the Level on my iPhone), and the Highlander was noticeably higher. I talked it over with Steve Henry and the next year Tony at TK1 built Steve's current Gear setup. That's why I purchased a set last summer.

Have fun my friend, and let us know haw much shorter the T/Os are.

Bruce
Bruce Johnson Highlander # 393
"Because I fly, I envy no man on Earth"
Builder web site:
http://www.bruceshighlander.blogspot.com
User avatar
CanadianSheepHunter
Veteran Member
Posts: 678
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:05 pm

Re: Shocks on SS XL

Post by CanadianSheepHunter »

When you say your stock ACME were 1 1/2” is that the chrome part your talking about? My kit is not a XL and my chrome part is 1 1/4”.
User avatar
BDA
Veteran Member
Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Shocks on SS XL

Post by BDA »

Well, I thought they were 1.5, but just measured and they are 1.25
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
User avatar
BDA
Veteran Member
Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Shocks on SS XL

Post by BDA »

They also Weigh 6 pounds each
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
User avatar
stpilot09
Forum Regular
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2020 8:30 pm
Location: NorCal

Re: Shocks on SS XL

Post by stpilot09 »

Been running the Shock Monster struts on my SS for just over a year now. They are amazing. I keep mine around #245
User avatar
BDA
Veteran Member
Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Shocks on SS XL

Post by BDA »

Very happy with TK1 shocks so far.
My plane is 1,040# with the longer wings and tail so the recomended presure was a little squishy.

I am running 290# right now, and full fuel and pilot it runs about an inch from the top for max aoa for take off, I am still running the acme tail shock, with 300 # and it is running at about 1/2 extension on take off because I want it to squish if I rotate too early and drag it like a scared turkey vulture.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
Post Reply

Return to “Just Aircraft”