Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml
Date: Sat, 02 Nov 2002 14:11:50 -0500
Message-ID: <redirect-1851129@logan.com>
From: "Greg Nelson" <gnelson@gt.rr.com>
References: <list-1850815@logan.com>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: LC2 dual nose gear gas springs....
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I have used duel 100# gas springs for nearly for 227 hours of flight and
perhaps as many as 900 retracts (ground and air) with no adverse
consequences (to date).  The primary nose hydraulic cylinder picks up the
nose wheel with considerable ease.  One of the gas cylinders is anchored at
its top end to the firewall and the other cylinder top is anchored to the
ceiling of the wheel well.  The advantage of this arrangement is that the
cylinders begin and end compression and extension at different points and
time thus causing less retraction resistance to the primary cylinder while
also causing downward thrust on extension at two different angles.  Makes
for smooth retract and extension.  Also, the gear comes down with such
authority that it will virtually drag you if you try to stop it.  Doesn't
seem to drop any faster than anyone else's gear, just more powerfully.

I wonder if using two gas cylinders of 60# each might double the chances
that your emergency gear-down extension would fail?  --A mechanical failure
or weakening in either 60# spring would not leave enough power in the
serviceable remaining cylinder to extend the gear.