fixed gear vs. retracts

[Kurt Bozarth]

I have found the quality of music wire to vary widely for both 5/32" and
3/16".  I've purchased some which were definitely softer than others.
 
Kurt


-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]
On Behalf Of Anthony Abdullah
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2003 9:05 AM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: RE: fixed gear vs. retracts


I never claimed to be the best pilot out there, but in the five or six
years I have been  flying pattern with an LA-1, PA-2, an SL-1, a Bridi
Great Escape, Bridi XLT, a 60 sized Conquest VII, Saphir II, and an
Eppicure II, all with retracts! I have had to remove and straighten the
struts exactly twice and both times have been on hard dead stick
landings while practicing! Either I am using some exceptionally tough
metal only found in the great state of Ohio, or the whole retract
maintenance issue is overblown. I am not arguing the fact that some
people can and do have problems with bent struts, but other than a
little extra time to make sure they are set up to rotate lock and clear
properly I have NOT experienced much failure with them, and NEVER once
at a contest. I've had headers, couplers, servos, engine, and thumbs
fail at contests, but (knock on wood) never my retracts. In fact, I have
seen many more sets of fixed gear get sheared off at contests than
retracts fail. Perhaps I just don't get out enough.

Nik Middleton <middletn at spinmail.com> wrote: 

While it's true that at comps the plane's carried out, I spend far more
time
at the practice field. I find it helpful not to have to ask someone to
carry it for me. Still it's only a slight bonus. However I do find fixed
gear better at handling slightly longer grass. I don't recall having to
straiten my fixed gear, but I know that with retracts I had to check
them
every few flights. Still miss putting the gear up though, nothing like a
slow low pass with gear up.

rgds


-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org
[mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On Behalf Of GeorgeF.
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 1:44 PM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Re: fixed gear vs. retracts


At 05:13 PM 7/17/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>Anthony,
>
>"It is true I don't taxi about with them---" I hope Margaretta (sp OK?)
>is reading the message. That's why Anthony doesn't have to taxi!!!!


A lot of fields would rather have you carry your planes to the flight
line
for saftey. I've yet to attend a pattern contest where I had seen pilots
taxi out to the runway.

Sounds like the "taxi" issue is more like an excuse rather than
improving
flying skills.... Kinda like todays schools, "dumb down" the test so
everyone wins?

George

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