lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

Gerald, When I first purchased my plane, my nose gear did not drop freely. Ed DeChazal and I disconnected everything up front and it would still not drop freely. I ordered 2 new bearings and the nose gear still would not free fall. I took the plane in for service and the mechanics sent either the gear or the new bearings (I think that it was the bearings) to a machine shop. The shop milled a few thousands off. They also put grease fitting on the new bearings. Why not? The nose gear has, ever since, fallen freely. Whenever I now do a free fall, the nose gear is down within 1/2 second. I have changed the actuator to an automotive actuator that was recommended by someone on this list. The auto actuator has about 120 lbs of pressure rather than Lancair's approximate 100 lbs. If you would like the actuator part number, let me know and I will get it to you next week. I have had many, many hard landings. I have bent my front fork. On that one, I hit so hard that the prop left seven blade marks in the runway. I have bent my main gear. I have bent my main gear castings. I have NEVER bent the engine mount. I don't think that it is possible to bent the engine mount without losing the engine. Good Luck, Lorn "Feathers" Olsen LNC2 248-345-0500 PS. Currently in New Orleans on my new boat. http://www.dynacomm.ws/boats/Latitudes/Latitudes.html From: "Gerard O Connell" <goconnell@dodo.com.au> Hi guys, need some advice and feedback on your experiences with this one. . . Apparently after installing the actuator, the nose gear got caught during retracts and bent a rod. The details of this incident were a bit vague but I didn't give it much thought at the time as I was assured that the damage was minimal and would be repaired free of charge. At the time I didn't think any more of the incident or relate the hesitancy of the nose gear to free fall during emergence gear extension. . . Would be great to get some thought on this one as I'm going to discuss with mechanic tomorrow... -- Gerard O Connell Melbourne, Australia VH-LPD (LNC2)