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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've engineered a shock absorbing system on my
fixed gear FOCUS with "O" rings that has proven to be quite reliable. Earl
Vincent's idea, my implementation. So far, no more fuselage repairs after
rough landings. And Earl can attest I have really tested the system on a
number of landings.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Buff Miller</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=johnferrell@earthlink.net
href="mailto:johnferrell@earthlink.net">John Ferrell</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=discussion@nsrca.org
href="mailto:discussion@nsrca.org">discussion@nsrca.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, July 16, 2003 9:50
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Nats photos online</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>From this site and personal
experience:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The change to fixed gear on the Prophecy seemed
to require less power than those with retracts. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It seems to me that the weight is about the
same.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A harsh landing with retracts usually results in
needing a little attention on the struts.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The same landing with fixed gear frequently
results in extensive damage to the fuselage.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>There is less bounce with retracts.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Taxii out is not recomended with
retracts.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Retracts usually provide a wider footprint
.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The wire gear in the pictures on Pastorello's web
site looks a little heavy but should be less punishing to the airframe than
the fixed aluminum or composite gear.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>7075 Aluminum gear is lighter and more
durable than any of the composite gear. Unfortunately, it is harder to work
and not nearly as available as 6061.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>6061 aluminum for fixed gear is a waste of
time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If landings were all scored K4, stif gear would
go away...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>John Ferrell <BR>6241 Phillippi Rd<BR>Julian NC 27283<BR>Phone:
(336)685-9606 <BR><A
href="mailto:johnferrell@earthlink.net">johnferrell@earthlink.net</A><BR>Dixie
Competition Products<BR>NSRCA 479 AMA 4190 W8CCW<BR>"My Competition is
Not My Enemy"<BR></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=mmueller@triangleprinters.com
href="mailto:mmueller@triangleprinters.com">Mike Mueller</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=discussion@nsrca.org
href="mailto:'discussion@nsrca.org'">'discussion@nsrca.org'</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, July 16, 2003 9:27
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: Nats photos online</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=156171913-16072003> I'm flying with my 1st fixed gear plane
(Temptation) this year after many years of retract planes. It's all about
taste in my opinion. It's also a fad to have fixed gear now. As far as looks
I'll take retracts in the air. I still get a thrill out of sucking up the
gears on takeoff. Wheels hanging out of my plane give me the constant
feeling that my retracts aren't working while I'm flying. The fixed gears
are stronger and allow you to taxi easier ans suppose to increase drag.
Either way works well. Mike</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Chris Larson
[mailto:csl@direcway.com]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, July 15, 2003 10:55
PM<BR><B>To:</B> discussion@nsrca.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Nats photos
online<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hey all -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Great Nat's pictures and written
commentary. I hope to participate someday myself. I wish the
best to all the District 7 guys!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>However, as a junior guy in sportsman
for almost a year now and hoping to move to intermediate soon,
I see a distinct lack of RETRACTS! I'd appreciate your
thoughts on incorporating this trend into my next aircraft. I have a
Vortex and am just moving into a rebuilt Sequel. I am thinking Typhoon for
the next.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What do you think as far as flight
performance, looks, judging < gasp > etc - aside from obvious flight
prowess - does fixed gear get the nod?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks in advance, and go D7!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Chris Larson</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>NSRCA 3484</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=gw@gwair.com href="mailto:gw@gwair.com">GW</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=discussion@nsrca.org
href="mailto:discussion@nsrca.org">discussion@nsrca.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, July 15, 2003 10:12
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Nats photos online</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Nats photos from Practice and Day1 have
been forwarded to me. Courtesy of Glen Watson. Thanks Glen!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Check the webpage below.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Gerald Williams<BR>Email : <A
href="mailto:gw@gwair.com">gw@gwair.com</A><BR>Webpage:
gwair.com<BR></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>