Nats photos online

[John Ferrell]

>From this site and personal experience:

The change to fixed gear on the Prophecy seemed to require less power than those with retracts. 

It seems to me that the weight is about the same.

A harsh landing with retracts usually results in needing a little attention on the struts.
The same landing with fixed gear frequently results in extensive damage to the fuselage.

There is less bounce with retracts.
Taxii out is not recomended with retracts.

Retracts usually provide a wider footprint .

The wire gear in the pictures on Pastorello's web site looks a little heavy but should be less punishing to the airframe than the fixed aluminum or composite gear.
7075 Aluminum gear is lighter and more durable than any of the composite gear. Unfortunately, it is harder to work and not nearly as available as 6061.
6061 aluminum for fixed gear is a waste of time.

If landings were all scored K4, stif gear would go away...
 
John Ferrell 
6241 Phillippi Rd
Julian NC 27283
Phone: (336)685-9606  
johnferrell at earthlink.net
Dixie Competition Products
NSRCA 479 AMA 4190  W8CCW
"My Competition is Not My Enemy"

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike Mueller 
  To: 'discussion at nsrca.org' 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2003 9:27 AM
  Subject: RE: Nats photos online


   I'm flying with my 1st fixed gear plane (Temptation) this year after many years of retract planes. It's all about taste in my opinion. It's also a fad to have fixed gear now. As far as looks I'll take retracts in the air. I still get a thrill out of sucking up the gears on takeoff. Wheels hanging out of my plane give me the constant feeling that my retracts aren't working while I'm flying. The fixed gears are stronger and allow you to taxi easier ans suppose to increase drag. Either way works well. Mike
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Chris Larson [mailto:csl at direcway.com]
    Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 10:55 PM
    To: discussion at nsrca.org
    Subject: Re: Nats photos online


    Hey all -
    Great Nat's pictures and written commentary.  I hope to participate someday myself.  I wish the best to all the District 7 guys!

    However, as a junior guy in sportsman for almost a year now and hoping to move to intermediate soon,  I see a distinct lack of RETRACTS!  I'd appreciate your thoughts on incorporating this trend into my next aircraft.  I have a Vortex and am just moving into a rebuilt Sequel. I am thinking Typhoon for the next.

    What do you think as far as flight performance, looks, judging < gasp > etc - aside from obvious flight prowess - does fixed gear get the nod?

    Thanks in advance, and go D7!
    Chris Larson
    NSRCA 3484
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: GW 
      To: discussion at nsrca.org 
      Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 10:12 AM
      Subject: Nats photos online


      Nats photos from Practice and Day1 have been forwarded to me. Courtesy of Glen Watson. Thanks Glen!
      Check the webpage below.
      Gerald Williams
      Email : gw at gwair.com
      Webpage: gwair.com
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