REFLECTOR: Fixed vs RG

Mon Aug 21 22:09:44 CDT 2006

I agree completely.  Just reading the Reflector traffic over the past few
years has convinced me that there are a few common problem areas in the
Velocity that are better avoided.  First among them is the retract system.
It's no surprise that all of the newly-designed high-performance
single-engine certified planes are fixed-gear (e.g., Cirrus, Columbia).  The
second item to avoid is the MT CS prop - it always seems to have a problem,
whether due to FOD or leaking seals.  If you really have to have a CS prop,
the AeroComposites prop is sufficiently rugged, but pricy.  I'm going to use
a Catto prop. 

Once I finish construction I don't want to spend all my time and money
repairing the plane, so I'm trying to make it as simple and rugged as
possible.  Standard normally aspirated Lycoming, fixed gear, fixed pitch
prop.  That will improve insurability, too.

Keith Hallsten, XLFG

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Velocity xl
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 4:36 PM
To: velocity at davebiz.com; Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fixed vs RG

All joking aside I would go with  a fixed gear if you do not have a lot of
time in a Retract. A lot being more that a few thousand hours in a Retract
(My opinion). I for one am a pilot with not enough time and figured that one
less thing to worry about when landing is a good thing. I have spent way too
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
>
>
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