Pilot September 2017

http://www.pilotweb.aero Pilot September 2017 | 59

nylon outriggers, which are located just
outboard of the spoilers. The main wheel
is non-retractable and is partially covered
by an allegedly aerodynamic fairing. It
carries a cable-actuated drum brake.
During the walkround a good tip is to
try and get three fingers between the
bottom of the sternpost and the top of the
tailwheel. If you can’t, it’s had a heavy
landing. I also like to give the tailplane a
waggle and a good look at the attachment
bolts as there is an AD regarding cracks
around this area. There is also not a lot of
up elevator travel−more on this later.
Before you get in it’s also worth
considering using the small tap behind the
seats to drain the fuel tank’s sump. This is
wire-locked and often neglected, but
should still be done occasionally. Note that
it is independent from the gascolator and
is fed from a separate standpipe.

Flight Test | Slingsby T61F

Fixed outrigger wheels twang around on nylon lollypop

sticks, keeping the wings more or less level

Just like the Red Baron’s triplane, wooden skids protect the wingtips in the event of a wobble

All the ‘suspension’ compliance is in the tyre sidewalls.

At least the step is functional