I plan to fly from paved runways with stock wheels and wheel pants (fairings). i have a viking steel bungee.

How much clearance should I have between the prop and concrete on the ramp?

Jonathan

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5 inches MINIMUM. 

With the RAA Ch85 750 Cruzer we simulated the worst case scenario as flat tire and 2 big guys setting in the plane. We are using the Viking spring. Really worst case would let the suspension collapse to the stop ring. We are flying off a grass strip and are using tundra tires so actual clearance is not relevant to your case. I believe FAA/CARS (in Canada) has some sort of minimum.

Confirmed that we had 11” of clearance A/C empty, inflated front tire, normal compression on spring w 0200 

Wow. 11 Inches? Must be a tiny prop or a long gear leg!

Cruzer with the Viking 130 engine. Used four spacers. The prop has 9-3/4" clearance at rest without pilot or fuel. Three inches of travel to the stop ring. So the worst case would be 6-3/4" with the tire inflated. The prop is the standard 3 blade supplied by Viking. 

This is from the FARs:
14 CFR 23.925 - Propeller clearance. (a)Ground clearance. There must be a clearance of at least seven inches (for each airplane with nose wheel landing gear) or nine inches (for each airplane with tail wheel landing gear) between each propeller and the ground with the landing gear statically deflected and in the level, normal takeoff, or taxing attitude, whichever is most critical.

Does this mandate apply to experimental aircraft?

Jonathan:

As you know, I have a Zenith Cruzer and Viking 130. The propeller is a Whirlwind triple 72 inch .

The initial clearance without Viking spacer was 7 inches and increased to 14 inches with spacer.

The FAA limit is clearance with flat nose wheel therefore 7 inches is adequate. I suggest the 3

inch Viking spacer, I had to make my own aluminum spacer because of a moderate change of

the six bolt drilling. There is a picture on my Zenith page. I am much happier with the 14 inches

of clearance.

Terry Hall

Terrence, at the rate your going, that 14 inch clearance from ground may be the most distance from ground your prop will ever see ;)

Loren:

As always thank for your support and encouragement.

My dear friend Terrence:

What I meant to say is that I have all the confidence in the world that one day soon your prop may rise more that 14 inches above the ground. :)

I believe I was told this by DAR and my EAA ADVISOR. I NEVER LOOKED UP IN A FAA DOCUMENT.

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