Fixed gear vs. retracts

Thu Sep 5 14:27:02 AKDT 2002

I've been flying Ken's Phase One here in D7.  The gear have held up just
fine.  In fact, at the Sacramento contest, I basically had either a
serviously BAD landing, or out right crash, after a dead stick from a very
poor position.  When heading into the field somewhat down wind, one wheel
pant grabbed the grass and the plane carwheeled - amongst other stuff.  One
wire was bent, one axle was turned 90 degrees (axle was bolt on type for
retracts).  Wing tube was bent, stab broke loose, rudder servo gears
stripped, fuselage cracked-up a little, broke prop.  This was the second
time the gear saved the wings, and prevented worse damage.  First incident
was with some radio interfenece and a forced landing.  Again, gear help
reduce other effects.  If you don't mind the transportation, the gear are
great.  Landings don't bounce much either.

Jim W.

-----Original Message-----
From: GW [mailto:gw at gwair.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 2:45 PM
To: randy10926 at EARTHLINK.NET; discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Re: Fixed gear vs. retracts

I have been thinking of trying this in my next large 2M project. Ken
Blackwell has this setup in his PhaseOne. Maybe he will chime in here, and
give us the low down on its use and abuse factor.

Later,
GW
Gerald Williams
Webpage :  www.gwair.com
Email: gw at gwair.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "hatfield" <randy10926 at earthlink.net>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 4:37 PM
Subject: Re: Fixed gear vs. retracts

> What is the shape U are bending?
> Randy
>
> On Thu, 5 Sep 2002 16:27:09 -0700 Jeff Hughes <jhughes at hsonline.net>
wrote:
>
> > Yeah, it costs about $5 for the blocks and a
> > piece of wire. It's a U bend it
> > operation.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: John Ferrell
> > To:
> > Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 2:00 PM
> > Subject: Re: Fixed gear vs. retracts
> >
> >
> > > I have been wanting to try that on a
> > Prophecy. The only down side I can
> > see
> > > is the transportation. It should cost a lot
> > less and be much more rugged.
> > >
> > > John Ferrell
> > > 6241 Phillippi Rd
> > > Julian NC 27283
> > > Phone: (336)685-9606
> > > Dixie Competition Products
> > > NSRCA 479 AMA 4190  W8CCW
> > > "My Competition is Not My Enemy"
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Jeff Hughes"
> > > To: ;
> > > Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 4:47 PM
> > > Subject: RE: Fixed gear vs. retracts
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > The thing all you guys assume is that the
> > only way to have fixed gear
> > > > is in the fuselage. I've got a Jupiter with
> > torsion bar wire gear in
> > > > the wing, and you can't hurt it, no matter
> > what kind of landing you
> > > > make!. It's tough, lite and maintance free.
> > > > Jeff
> > > >
> > > > > I have two identical Hydeouts. Same CG
> > everything, except the U/C.
> > > > >
> > > > > The retract version needs 30% more rudder
> > to KE and struggles over a
> > > > > KE-loop. The fixed gear version requires
> > less rudder for all of the
> > > > > aforementioned.
> > > > >
> > > > > I love the way the fixed gear flies but
> > hat dead stick landings off-
> > > > field
> > > > > and have delaminated my share of legs...
> > Retracts soak up the
> > > > punishment and
> > > > > bounce much much less. However they bend,
> > they break the retract
> > > > plate etc.
> > > > > so you carry the out to runway, and back
> > again.
> > > > >
> > > > > Bottom line - fly fixed gear - get good
> > engine - land slow..
> > > > >
> > > > > Eric.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: Gray E Fowler
> > [mailto:gfowler at raytheon.com]
> > > > > Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 10:38
> > AM
> > > > > To: discussion at nsrca.org
> > > > > Subject: Re: Fixed gear vs. retracts
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > The faster you go the more impact a gear
> > door can have. I would guess
> > > > that
> > > > > at the slower speeds that everyone is
> > attempting, gear door effect is
> > > > > negligible at best.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Gray Fowler
> > > > > Principal Chemical Engineer
> > > > > Composites Engineering
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > CoreComm Webmail.
> > > > http://home.core.com
> > > >
> > > > =====================================
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