[rebel-builders] Landing Gear: was Empty weights
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 6:24 pm
For a long time, the difference in weight between the coil spring and Cessna
style installations was accepted as pretty close to 19 lbs. That's based on
plenty in the archives putting the Cessna style at ~22 lbs more than the
bungee gear, Wayne's die spring gear is ~4 lbs and an estimate that the
bungies might be ~1lb.
I don't know which is stronger for rough stuff. I've heard of gear failure for
the bungees as well as the die springs under conditions that sounded to me
rather normal -- at least for me ;) -- far easier than what a bush plane
should be expected to handle. I've not heard of it for the Cessna style (but I
expect that's my poor hearing). Consider too that if the Cessna style fails,
the fuselage repair is likely a significant fuselage repair job. Cessna style,
assume roughly 5mph cruise advantage. Bungees reported to not last altho
that may come in part from installations where they see exhaust heat.
I opted for coil spring based on the above. And okay, I'll let a cat out of the
bag ...I am going with my own coil gear fabrication. Some of this is pretty
fresh, unfinished, so I can't give much detail yet. I think mine might be
similar to Wayne's altho I've never seen his. Mine definetely is similar to Hatz
biplane, but with springs from a local spring fab shop with about twice the
displacement and half the force rate. I also have 4130 drag struts and my
own G Mohr type fittings. This is (i hope) the very last thing I'll customize.
Admittedly, I'm a bit nervous about it, but frankly I feel going with bungees or
coil was almost guaranteed to be inadequate for what I hope to get away
with in terms of ground ops... The better solution, no doubt, is to put floats
on!
-Ben/ 496R
On 6/28/2010 3:51 PM, dstrong@cyberlink.bc.ca wrote to rebel-builders:
style installations was accepted as pretty close to 19 lbs. That's based on
plenty in the archives putting the Cessna style at ~22 lbs more than the
bungee gear, Wayne's die spring gear is ~4 lbs and an estimate that the
bungies might be ~1lb.
I don't know which is stronger for rough stuff. I've heard of gear failure for
the bungees as well as the die springs under conditions that sounded to me
rather normal -- at least for me ;) -- far easier than what a bush plane
should be expected to handle. I've not heard of it for the Cessna style (but I
expect that's my poor hearing). Consider too that if the Cessna style fails,
the fuselage repair is likely a significant fuselage repair job. Cessna style,
assume roughly 5mph cruise advantage. Bungees reported to not last altho
that may come in part from installations where they see exhaust heat.
I opted for coil spring based on the above. And okay, I'll let a cat out of the
bag ...I am going with my own coil gear fabrication. Some of this is pretty
fresh, unfinished, so I can't give much detail yet. I think mine might be
similar to Wayne's altho I've never seen his. Mine definetely is similar to Hatz
biplane, but with springs from a local spring fab shop with about twice the
displacement and half the force rate. I also have 4130 drag struts and my
own G Mohr type fittings. This is (i hope) the very last thing I'll customize.
Admittedly, I'm a bit nervous about it, but frankly I feel going with bungees or
coil was almost guaranteed to be inadequate for what I hope to get away
with in terms of ground ops... The better solution, no doubt, is to put floats
on!
-Ben/ 496R
On 6/28/2010 3:51 PM, dstrong@cyberlink.bc.ca wrote to rebel-builders:
best??THANKS Guys keep them coming.
I notice that both the planes have the die or coil spring gear,what is the
opinions on the different types of gear.
Which is the lightest and which handles rough back country strips the
Dale
----- Original Message -----
From: <drew.dalgleish@dcsol.com>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Monday, June 28, 2010 5:34 PM
Subject: Re: [rebel-builders] Empty weights
-------- Forwarded Message ---------
Original: DATE..... 6/28/2010 3:30 PM
Original: FROM..... drew dalgleish