REFLECTOR: Main gear leg problems

Brett Ferrell reflector at velocityxl.com
Fri Jun 20 09:35:53 CDT 2008 

For folks wanting to see the bootie and instructions, I've added this to the Wiki
http://wiki.velocityxl.com/index.php?title=Landing_Gear#Main_Gear_Booties


>  -------Original Message-------
>  From: Chuck Jensen <cjensen at dts9000.com>
>  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Main gear leg problems
>  Sent: 20 Jun '08 08:59
>  
>  I would toss my hat in the ring on the side of Jerry.  Running a company that has to maintain a stable of competent, knowledgeable individuals that can support a unique, complex equipment system, such as an airplane, is stupidly expensive.  Everyone is familiar with the pricing of parts from Piper, Cessna, et al.  Even if we are asked to pay a one time $400 registration fee, the availability of parts and hundred of questions answered, for which no compensation is asked or offered, seems like a bargain.
>  
>  While Velocity does not execute every facet of their business perfectly, over the years, they have done better than most, both in pricing and interest in their products, once sold.  Sure, if you spend $20 of your time hunting through multiple sources, you can save $10, but the effort is counterproductive unless you place little value on your time. It'll be interesting to see what changes, in organization and philosophy, that occurs with the RRL taking over.
>  
>  Chuck Jensen
>  
>  
>  -----Original Message-----
>  From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org]On
>  Behalf Of Brainard, Jerry
>  Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:45 AM
>  To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
>  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Main gear leg problems
>  
>  
>  That's a bit harsh.  I have not found them to be the money-grubbing sort
>  that you seem to be intimating.  They have been very fair and helpful
>  with me.
>  
>  I must say that I am a bit surprised that one must pay $400 to buy a
>  part.  It was my impression that the fee was for support of anyone but
>  the original buyer.
>  
>  But hey, your mileage may vary
>  
>  Jerry
>  
>  -----Original Message-----
>  From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
>  Behalf Of Milton Mersky
>  Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:23 PM
>  To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
>  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Main gear leg problems
>  
>  Dave Philpsen:
>  
>  We also had to have a metal boot on our 173 RG. It worked fine. No more
>  extra heat to the legs.
>  As far as extra bounty to the factory, this is the attitude and
>  character of
>  those in charge. Get used to it or buy some other kit
>  
>  milt
>  
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: "Dave Philipsen" <velocity at davebiz.com>
>  To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
>  Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 6:10 PM
>  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Main gear leg problems
>  
>  
>  > Yeah, only problem is that the factory tells me that the booties are
>  > technically made for the RG although some have modified them to fit on
>  > the FG.  A complete new fiberglass ger leg (bow) costs about the same
>  as
>  > a pair of booties.  In addition to all of that, I will have to pay a
>  > $400 premium because I have not "registered" with the factory as the
>  new
>  > owner (bought it 2 yrs. ago from the builder).
>  >
>  >
>  > Lou Stedman wrote:
>  >> I am here to tell you that it is not pleasant when this situation
>  causes
>  >> the
>  >> leg to fracture on landing. Mine did and by the time I replaced the
>  prop
>  >> and
>  >> removed the engine for inspection, I have spent well over $5000. If
>  you
>  >> want
>  >> my two cents, it is buy the booties and fix it now. When the leg
>  heats up
>  >> enough to bend, the epoxy that was in the heated area will wick down,
>  >> leaving dry fiberglass. That is exactly what happened to me. You know
>  the
>  >> old saying, "you can pay me now or pay me later" pay it now and save
>  >> yourself a lot of time and money.
>  >>
>  >> Lou Stedman
>  >> Velocity N7044Q
>  >> Olean, NY
>  >> ----- Original Message -----
>  >> From: "Dave Philipsen" <velocity at davebiz.com>
>  >> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
>  >> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:56 PM
>  >> Subject: REFLECTOR: Main gear leg problems
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>> Recently I noticed that at least one of my wheels (haven't looked
>  >>> closely at the other one yet) is cambered out slightly at the
>  bottom.  I
>  >>> believe this is due to excessive heat from the brakes causing the
>  gear
>  >>> leg to soften a bit.  From the heat and the weight of the airplane
>  the
>  >>> gear leg has splayed out slightly at the bottom. I'm not so sure
>  that
>  >>> grinding off part of the axle mating surface on the leg will help
>  that
>  >>> much because I believe that the bolt holes are angled.
>  >>>
>  >>> I have an idea and I just thought I'd throw it out to the group to
>  see
>  >>> what kind of response I get.  What if I were to take the wheel off,
>  >>> remove the axle shaft and re-mount it on the opposite side of the
>  gear
>  >>> leg (pointing inward)?  Then I would allow the full weight of the
>  >>> airplane to rest on the axle shaft which would rest on a block of
>  wood
>  >>> on the floor.  Perhaps I could use a heat gun to heat the bottom of
>  the
>  >>> gear leg and allow it to bend back in the right direction.
>  >>>
>  >>> Is this feasible or would it be more work than it's worth?  I
>  suppose
>  >>> the other alternative would be to buy some aluminum feet as I have
>  heard
>  >>> the factory sells these.
>  >>>
>  >>> --
>  >>> Dave Philipsen
>  >>> Velocity STD-FG
>  >>> N83DP
>  >>>
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>  >>
>  >>
>  >>
>  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>  --------
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>
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>  >> 8:00 AM
>  >>
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>  >
>  > --
>  > Dave Philipsen
>  > Velocity STD-FG
>  > N83DP
>  >
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>  >
>  
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