fixed gear vs. retracts

[GeorgeF.]

At 11:01 AM 7/17/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>With all of the variables that can affect the outcome of a landing 
>(deadsticks, other airplanes, strange topography, unusual wind gusts, 
>etc.) *I* have never heard of anyone who DID *NOT* "break" landing gear 
>(or parts) sometime in their career.
>The record you quote, George, is ENVIABLE!!!  20 years without ever 
>breaking landing gear stuff....I think we need a "Landing How To" article 
>from you for the K-Factor!!!  (As I'm fortunate to make it through a days' 
>flying without some sort of off side/ends/surface landings which 
>potentially hurt things - Then there's those horse hoofprints off the end 
>of the runway...)

Well I've also had my Private Pilots license for as many years and that is 
one great way to learn the physics behind who to make good landings.  That 
includes deadsticks, other airplanes, strange topography, unusual wind 
gusts.  Once suggestion is that if you know someone with a Pilots license 
give him a few bucks (ok $60/hour if the plane is rented) and go with him 
and do an hours worth of Touch AndGoes.  You'll be amazed at what you'll 
learn!  After all in a real plane bad landings, bent gear, and in most 
cases bounces are not acceptable......

The most common mistakes I see is people landing too fast!  An aircraft 
which is not stalled when landing isn't landing but CRASHING!  All good 
landings start with good approaches.  Start by making long 
approaches.  This will give you a chance to SLOW down the airplane and 
evaluate the wind conditions.  If at all possible learn what's called the 
Wing Low method to compensate for crosswinds as opposed to Crabbing.   Most 
modelers will crab right down to the ground, that will result in an instant 
BAD landing as you're landing gear are going a different direction then 
what the airplane is flying resulting in a massive side load.  That's a 
large reason you see people "bouncing" (both model and fullscale) during 
crosswinds.

With the wing low methods the landing gear are going the same direction as 
the plane.  To land using this method you use aileron to hold the upwind 
wing low.  To correct for the tendency of the plane to turn that same 
direction you would use just enough opposite rudder to keep the plane 
aligned with the runway center line.  If done correctly you'll have the 
upwind main landing gear hit the ground first, followed by the downwind 
main gear, and finally the nose gear if you're flying a trike.

George
http://www.MilAirComms.com





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