From: RicArgente@cs.com
Message-ID: <34.fac3b2b.279844ba@cs.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 08:08:10 EST
Subject: LNC2: Emergency Gear Extension Test in Cold Temps
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Last winter, I noticed that my canopy gas struts seemed weak and would 
occasionally allow the canopy to fall down.  I decided to purchase new ones 
from Lancair and replaced the old struts.  This year, even with the new 
struts, canopy still falls down occasionally, although not as bad as before.  
The cold weather must be affecting these struts, weakening them considerably. 
  Struts similar to these are also used to extend the nose gear if the 
electro-hydraulic gear extension system fails.  

I decided to test the emergency gear extension on two recent flights.  
Normally, the nose gear light comes on almost immediately, however, during 
the first test, the nose gear lights did not come on at all.  Only after 
loading the plane with some positive G's did it finally come on.  On a warmer 
day, did the test again but this time nose gear light came on immediately.  
Note that during my last annual (April 2000),  I removed and tested the nose 
gear strut and it exerted more than 90lbs on the scale.  Sorry, forgot to 
note down actually temps during the tests, although frist test was BELOW 
freezing and second test, ABOVE.

Conclusion:  Pressure exerted by these gas struts are marginal during very 
cold temps.  If the nose gear strut fails to fully extend the nose gear 
during an emergency gear extension,  positive 'G' manuevers will be required 
to lock the nose gear in place.

Rick Argente 
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LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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