Hi John!

It's not a crazy idea, and it is something that crossed my mind while
trying to solve this problem.

However, I don't think it'd work as the primary source of gear
position.  First, I don't think you could see enough detail to determine
if the gear was actually locked over center.  Second, it would be a
challenge to get it to work at night (NVIS or flood lighting?).  Third,
the reliability isn't quite where I'd like it to be--one bug strike or
loose connection and you've lost info on all three gear at once.

As a secondary source of position, though, I think it would be
awesome--if you didn't have a green light on the panel, you could
quickly check the screen and see what's up.

Louis

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Original Message from John Cooper <snopercod@comporium.net>
Sent: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 08:28:04 -0500

This is probably a crazy idea, but why not stick a small camera
somewhere on the belly of the aircraft where it could view all three
gear? Wireless automotive "backup cameras" are really inexpensive these
days. It seems like mounting the camera near the aft end of the main
wing at BL 50 and looking forward at a 45 deg angle might have a view of
all three gear...or maybe on the bottom of the cowling looking aft.