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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So far all the pros n cons for the type of gear one
use here has been either asthetic or easy of use. What if any
differences are there aerodynamicaly between the two? Does the retract
hole in the wing effect flow over the wing? Does the fixed gear hanging down
effect overall trim or handling? </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>Obviously it
dosent effect the planes that much since a majority of the top pilots are flying
fixed gear. Could be the fact that we have more power to pull these airships as
compared to the sleek missles of the 70's and 80's so drag isnt an
issue.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Smooth FLying...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Wayne G.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></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=aabdu@sbcglobal.net href="mailto:aabdu@sbcglobal.net">Anthony
Abdullah</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> Thursday, July 17, 2003 2:41
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: fixed gear vs.
retracts</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>George I must agree with you, I love my retracts and have not had a
problem with them on any pattern plane in years. I fly from one of the
roughest landfill fields in the country and still have very few problems. It
is true I don't taxi about with them, but that minor inconvenience is more
than made up for by the considerable Cool Factor! One of the reasons I got
into pattern was the sleek gear up passes that I saw Mike Klein making with
his pattern planes. When we have fun flys one of the biggest attractions is my
Epicure II breaking ground and immediately sucking up the gear. Personally I
get a little mental boost from retracts. A smooth graceful takeoff followed by
immediately retracting the gear coupled with a shallow climb
out kind of serves notice that what follows is going to be special. When
the gear is up I have my game face on and I'm all business. When the gear
comes down for landing that is my cue to exhale and finally relax and set
up for landing. It just makes so much sense to me. I know none of these are
engineering or aerodynamic reasons for retracts, but that is the part of
pattern that is art and not science. Has nothinig to do with weight or
convenience, just makes the plane
special. <BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>