REFLECTOR: NO DOORS

[David Scharfenberg]

    I just converted to a mechanical nose door system and flight tested 
it today.  Everything worked great, including a free fall extension.  I 
used the stock door opening springs and linkages, with a extra set of 
springs added to allow the nose wheel to move up and down a little in 
turbulence without opening the doors.  The springs also make fine 
tuning the linkage lengths unnecessary, as the spring pressure holds 
the doors in the closed position.  I have some crude pictures and a 
movie of the prototype.  If anyone is interested, please let me know.
    I have had to rebuild the sequence valve twice and the nose door 
cylinder once, so I am looking forward to more dependable operation.  
The pile of removed parts is impressive (sequence valve, cylinder, AL 
lines and fittings, flow restricter, slider rails and brackets).

Dave Scharfenberg
std/rg
dave at winco.net




>>
>>  My nose gear doors have been an absolute pain in the ass.  I have 
>> converted to the "mechanical door closer" with much success ... but 
>> they are still a potential problem area -- especially with "free 
>> falling" the gear in a hydraulic dump situation.  Without going into 
>> much detail ... spring tension and door "arms" have to be in perfect 
>> harmony for the system to consistently work well -- no matter what 
>> door closing system you use.