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George, During one replacement cycle, I purchased two struts, one to use and one as a spare. The next time the strut on the plane needed to be replaced, I found that the strut that had been sitting on the shelf had lost the very same amount of pressure. By no means a scientific test, but it would appear time alone is a factor with these components.
Chris Zavatson N91CZ 360std On , Chris Zavatson <chris_zavatson@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dom, My 360 requires a strut force somewhere south of 65 lbs to lock the gear in flight. The strut when new at ~100 lbs has a huge margin. I base my replacement interval on actual strut performance in-flight. I look for the maximum airspeed at which the gear will lock. I start at 120 KIAS and free-fall the gear. New gas struts will lock the nose gear even at this much elevated speed. If it does not lock, I start slowing until I get a green light. During this test the gear has
already lost its momentum from the free fall and it is just the gasstrut pushing the gear forward into the airstream. Once the maximum locking speed (without the aide of a free fall) drops below 100 KIAS I replace the strut. They have been
lasting about seven years. Note that undue friction in the bearings or linkages can reduce your margins during the free fall. So even if the strut is replaced more frequently, an inflight test is the only way to know the actual functional performance of the system. In-flight testing of the emergency extension is a critical maintenance item. Throughout the years the Lancair fleet has suffered a number of nose gear collapses (following emergency extensions) as a result of weak gas struts that were not being properly checked. Note that undue friction in the bearings or linkages can reduce your margins during the free fall. In an actual emergency extension one should slow down at 80 to reduce the air loads. For more nose gear maintenance
items:
Chris Zavatson N91CZ 360std
On Tuesday, March 18, 2014 8:57 AM, George Rosel <rosel_george@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hello Gang, I suggest you change out the nose gas strut every year at your annual condition inspection. It's not worth the worry and they only cost 19.75ea. from Lancair Kit Components. I just ordered a couple of them. Fly Safe!! ... George
George F. Rosel
(cell) 303-995-5501
Cool vacation
destination...
On Tuesday, March 18, 2014 9:19 AM, Matt <mattinlosangeles@yahoo.com> wrote:
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