<DIV>I used tapered faucet washers on an IMAC plane to cushion the gear. Put the screw with a small washer through the faucet washer, then through the gear into the gear block.<BR><BR><B><I>Buff Miller <fmiller2@sc.rr.com></I></B> wrote:
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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></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR><BR>Bob Kane<br>getterflash@yahoo.com<p><hr SIZE=1>
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