Fixed gear vs. retracts

[Woodward James R Civ 412 TW/DRP]

Hi Keith, 
 
Good, question.  Although many "newer" pattern planes have fixed gear, I
wouldn't just assume thats the way to go.  There are black-n-white
comparison such as the actual pieces of wood and individual components it
takes to assemble either retracts or fixed gear, and there are other things
to consider specific to your airplane.  With retracts, you get a cleaner
airplane, which will probably fly at different incidences than a fixed gear
plane.  As I remeber Lance's Aries from the Nats, the fuse is huge!  Maybe
the size of the fuse and wing will produce enough drag, where you don't want
to add more drag with the fixed gear.  Also, consider which mode of failure
you want to deal with - should there be a tough landing.  Tear the gear out
of the fuse, or re-bend a retract wire?  Think about the way you want to
handle the plane.  Having the gear tuck away in the wing makes for an easy
way to transport the wings and fuselage.  The designer, Mike Harrison, still
had retracts in his plane in FAI.   Also, consider wing position.  Is the
wing so high that getting retract struts long enough for the long props
feasible?  Maybe I didn't give you the reply your hoping for.  My point is,
don't be so fast to rule out retracts.  I think they have a lot of merit,
still, even though I don't have them.  I think many of the Japanese still
use them.  But, fixed gear may fit-your-fancy, they were certaintly
prevelant everywhere in Muncie.  
 
Jim W.
 

"Jim" 
James R. Woodward 
G. P. F. 
Project Manager 
DSN: 527-9445, Comm: (661) 277-9445 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Black [mailto:KBlack at TradeStation.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 1:46 PM
To: 'discussion at nsrca.org'
Subject: Fixed gear vs. retracts



I'm trying to decide whether to go with fixed gear or retracts on the new
Aries I'm building. I'd appreciate hearing opinions on the pros and cons
between the two.


This has probably been discussed before, but I'm new to the mailing list and
would really value the input. 

Thanks, 
Keith Black 
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