REFLECTOR: Fixed vs RG

[Velocity xl]

All joking aside I would go with  a fixed gear if you do not have a lot of
time in a Retract . Alot being more that a few thousands hour in a Retract
(My opinion). I for one as pilot with not enough time and figured that one
less thing to worry about when landing is a good thing. I have spent way to
much time working on this dream to see it messed up just so I can look cool
at 10,000 ft. I also for one could not stomach the cost of a new prop and
the possible engine damage
that can go along with such an adventure.

My 2 cents

PS it also saves us all on the insurance end of things! Less claims equals
lower Premiums.

Ron


"Those who sacrifice freedom to get security, deserve neither."
- Benjamin Franklin

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Philipsen" <velocity at davebiz.com>
To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 5:47 PM
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fixed vs RG


> Hi Dave,
>
> Even though I have absolutely no experience with the FGs, I'd have to
> agree with you to.  I don't necessarily think that it's a big safety
> issue with the RGs.  It just seems that a person would devote a lot of
> time to upkeep and repair.  Even if the gear could be made more reliable
> everyone seems to agree that it's not a matter of *if* but *when* you'll
> have a gear-up landing.  Some of the guys on the other canard forums
> even joke about being members of the "Nose Draggers Elite" or the "Nose
> Draggers Club".  If I had a retractable and *ever* had a gear-up
> landing, I can almost guarantee that my wife would never fly with me
again.
>
> Anyway, I got interested when you started talking about the custom wheel
> pants.  I've got a STD FG  and the wheel pants are getting a little beat
> up.  I am not the builder nor do I have much experience with composites
> and building.  But, I was thinking it might be a nice starter project to
> build a new set of pants.  Is the design of your pants available from
> the designer?  Do you have a picture of them?
>
>
> Dave Dent wrote:
> > This is only my opinion, but if I was to do it all over I would go the
fixed
> > gear with a good set of the best wheel pants for low drag and cooling
for
> > the brakes you can get.  The wheel pants design can give you speed and
> > cooling for brakes if done right.
> > I would also go with carbon lay-ups on the gear for added strength.  I
> > installed the carbon braded carbon sleeve on mine.  It cost me another
$250
> > in materials but I have more confidence in them now. Also use the best
bolts
> > you can buy in the mounting of the gear.  At least grade eight bolts.
For
> > those that haven't changed out the bolts, do it now.  To me this should
be a
> > mandatory thing to do.
> >
> > I did this on my Long EZ and Cozy and got both.  The Cozy was seeing
185kts
> > indicated at 4500 ft.  Just get the drag down. Some times this
out-weighs
> > the retractable.
> >
> > By the way my wheel pants were designed by Cory Bird. He was the
designer
> > and builder of the grand champion winner at OSH. 2004  You may have seen
it.
> > He calls it Symmetry N241ST.  When ever it shows up at a fly-in and if
it's
> > going to be judged; all the others wanting to be judged just as well go
> > home. I rebuilt the engine on it while he was building the plane.
> >
> > The very fact of the complexity of the RG is not worth it.  Yes it looks
> > cool like I said but not worth the problems, especially with the Velo
XL/RG.
> > As well the RG will bring more money when you go to sell it but if not
> > selling, it don't matter.  I have to say this and my it may make some
people
> > upset but the Velocity gear has a long way to go to make it not a
concern
> > for kit builders.  It can make or brake a good aircraft, even if it's
one of
> > the best flying machines in the industry, and I think it is.
> > Dave
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> >
>
> -- 
> Dave Philipsen
> STDFG
> N171SP
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> To change your email address, visit
http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>
> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
>