Fixed gear vs. retracts

[Anne & Xavier]

I always had some concern about the cleanless of a retract plane. When I
look at the bottom of the wing, it is not very aero clean. If there was
doors to cover the opening, it would be different but more trouble. When the
gear is down on approach, it is even worst. It must create some turbulence
behind the wing.
I have both type. I have landed both in the rough outside the runway. I had
to clean the inside of the belly pan on the retract one since I got the
wheels up before touching down to save the gear and the wings. I had to
repair some cracks in the fuse of the other one. You choose :-)
I prefere the fix gear for the ground handling. I could taxi from the pit
and to the pit without problem.
I havn't notice a difference in the air but the two planes have other
differences and I am not very experienced with this type of airplane. I have
about 300 flights total on them in 2 years.

Xavier


----- Original Message -----
From: "Woodward James R Civ 412 TW/DRP" <James.Woodward2 at edwards.af.mil>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 5:12 PM
Subject: RE: Fixed gear vs. retracts


> 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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