[rebel-builders] Re: landing gear length
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:37 pm
Die springs work all the time and I love them as everywhere I go seems
to be a rough surface. Bushing on the top of the struts are recommended
since the gear does move so much.
I agree with Drew. No need whatsoever for longer gear. With full flap I
rarely get a full 3 point landing unless I'm heavy. More nose up when
heavy would be asking for more sink risk IMO. Longer gear will be easier
to bend and also increase stress on rear mount. If course I'm not a
believer in larger tires either as they also increase bending loads on
the main struts if you have any crab/drift on at touchdown or in sharp
unplanned turns...
Ken
bransom@dcsol.com wrote:
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to be a rough surface. Bushing on the top of the struts are recommended
since the gear does move so much.
I agree with Drew. No need whatsoever for longer gear. With full flap I
rarely get a full 3 point landing unless I'm heavy. More nose up when
heavy would be asking for more sink risk IMO. Longer gear will be easier
to bend and also increase stress on rear mount. If course I'm not a
believer in larger tires either as they also increase bending loads on
the main struts if you have any crab/drift on at touchdown or in sharp
unplanned turns...
Ken
bransom@dcsol.com wrote:
Thanks Drew and Jeff,
Standard length legs and die springs start to sound better. Bigger tires too,
maybe, although I'll operate a lot off pavement and I'm leary of big tires
combined with pavement, Xwind, and my piloting.
I seem to recall several notes in the archives about not being able to get as
slow as the wing would allow before hitting the tail down, possibly hard. I'll
look back through again. If this is an issue, it would be more so with VGs.
WRT die springs, I had been thinking that, like the bungees, they don't see
much of any action except for hard hits. I hope to catch up with Wayne
again on this. Good point about the exhaust too ...hadn't thought of that at
all.
-Ben
Hi Ben I think the landing gear length is pretty good as it is. It's pretty
tough to get the tail down far enough to 3 point my plane without a little
power or extra speed. I have landed tailwheel first but I'm not sure why
you think that's a bad thing. It's a long strech to climb into a rebel 2"
higher would mean many people would need a footstool or step. Longer gear
would mean more weight on the tailwheel when taxiing, probably not a good
thing. Longer gear might increase your chances of nosing over if you hit
something. Longer gear will reduce your visibility over the nose,
increasing your chances of hitting something.
Generally bungees don't move unless you hit really hard. Die springs move
all the time. If your exhaust blows anywhere near the bungees you'll be
very lucky to get much life out of them. And no I'm not on Wayne's payroll.
Drew
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