Scary film of Tail Flutter PA30

[Zhaadum]

Check this out!

http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Movie/PA-30/640x/EM-0098-01.mov

If you fly one don't look behind you! :eek:

Z.

[Gear in transit]

GEEZ! I've flown the twin catastropie many times and never noticed that!!
Thats pretty bad....
Wonder what they actually did to induce the flutter, it didn't look like much!

[hogespa28]

http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Movie/PA-30/HTML/EM-0098-01.html

[Peter Fanelli]

Yep, need to be very aware of any strange vibrations that start to appear in your aircraft.
Used to fly a 402 and the clue to its flutter problem was a vibrating panel.

[sms777]

Many years ago i used fly a Queenair on regular charters. Once i was on decend through 6000 in to Darwin when suddenly i felt this severe vibration coming through the control column that even prompted a comment from the punter sitting next to me" I did not know this aircraft was fitted with a stick shaker!" It continued until we landed.
Upon investigation the LAME found that it was caused by a worn bush in the elevator trim tab.
I think it has prompted an AD being issued for all Beechcraft at the time.

[Cap'n Arrr]

Many hours in a PA30, never had that happen. Wonder how they induced it and how it is stopped (if it can be):eek:

[Superbad]

YIKES!!!!!!

Use to get the vibration through the floor in the 402B, could never figure it out....

[Capt Wally]

Now that does look rather violent but it's very much slowed down that little vid clip I'd say. At normal oscilations speed it's probably not that noticeable, just my thoughts that's all.


CW

[Jabawocky]

Wally

Its not the frequency that has me bothered, its the amplitude:eek:

But it did have two engines:}:}

Twin Commanche!!!

J:E

[Capt Wally]

'jaba' AM or FM right?:)

In this case mate 2 engines would just assist in taking you directly to the scene of the accident maybe a little quicker should that tail have let go:E

I've done a bit of time on the PA30/39 engineering wise & flying wise & never knew of that.

Still it did look alarming.

CW

[27/09]

I saw this footage quite some time ago.

I think it was NASA or a similar agency used the PA 30 for flutter testing. This flutter was deliberately induced, I think the aircraft was taken to or just above Vne.

The PA 30 is a very strong airframe, this film is testament to how strong it is.

I remember hearing a story told of a pilot speaking at a Bonanza owners meeting telling of his escapades of cloud seeding experiments and airborne thunderstorm studies. When asked what model Bonanza he used he exclaimed that he never would never do it in a Bonanza, he did it in a PA 30.

[Bill Lear]

I felt a strange vibration when I picked up the captains bag from the hold not so long ago. Gets lonely on the road!:}

[404 Titan]

Yes I have seen this video before as well. It is indeed a test flight by NASA of a PA30 well beyond Vne to demonstrate flight control flutter. The video I saw was much longer and showed the entire aircraft. While I would suggest not trying to duplicate the said flight, it is a testament to the strength of the PA30 which I have about 300 hours in and fond memories of.

[Airgus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQI3AWpTWhM&feature=related
(a DG glider)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca4PgyBJAzM&feature=related
(test)

Cheers

AirGus

[powerstall]

wouldn't want that to happen...:=