REFLECTOR: NOSE WHEEL GOT SIDEWAYS

[Dave Black]

John,

> I think the reason for the 95% closing is because the gas spring reqires 
> extra force to retract the nose gear the last inch and the hydraulic 
> pressure isn't high enough until the mains fully retract.  The nose doors 
> are held open a bit because the nose wheel isn't all the way up. 

The gas spring is a reasonable explanation. But isn't it strange that the last
5% of gas spring travel should offer so much more resistance than the first
95%? And that it should be so repeatable (always 95%) from one kit to another?

In my experimentation with the standard install, I found the gear ALWAYS
retracted EXACTLY to the point where it made contact with the sequence valve.
This is the famous 95% point. The inertia of the gear hitting the sequence
valve momentarily opens the valve, causing the nose doors to close or jiggle
slightly. If you manually assist the gear at this point, the doors close
completely, without slamming. 

Since your sequence valve is closer to a pivot point, you get not only more
torque on the pushbutton, but more inertia from the moving gear. Hence the
valve stays open longer before it forces the gear back down to the 95% point. 

Your installation is VERY CLOSE to working the way it was intended! 

In fact, it's so close that the manually assisted retraction test I suggested
for the standard installation may not convince you it's the sequence valve
causing your gear to hang out. The following test will be more difficult, but
should convince you: Temporarily move your sequence valve aside so it is no
longer activated by the retracting gear. Then watch the gear retract. I'll bet
you big bucks the nose gear will go up 100% without so much as a pause at the
95% point. 

Of course, the nose doors won't close at all, unless you push the sequence
valve button manually. Once the nose gear is up, try giving your sequence
valve a push. If you are able to push it at all, the doors will close 100%.
This portion of the test will also demonstrate just how hard it is to push
that button when it's pressurized, and why more leverage is needed. 

I understand that you are happy with your current installation, so suggest the
above only as an educational exercise. 

Dave Black
Shortwing RG