> <mikenjulie.parkin@btinternet.com>
>
> The mod looks great. The one concern I would have is that quite a few
> monos
> are quite late in the approach before the outriggers lock down, the effect
> of air loads I think. Your gas strut combined with the air loads .... ,
> are
> you quite sure they will lock down in flight.
Hello Mike,
Yes I agree some mono outriggers lock down late and I experienced one
myself that locked down at 60 kts as we crossed the boundary fence.
The reasons for locking late could be many and varied . . . . build
variances, binding, wear and air loads come to mind. As I said, my idea has
not been tested in the air (unless unbeknown to me somebody else has already
tried it!) so I cannot make any guarantees but my static testing looks very
promising.
You will appreciate that the mechanical advantage supplied by the gas strut
is at a maximum when it is needed most, i.e. with the leg fully up. As the
leg goes down, the mechanical advantage diminishes until it is zero quite
some time before the leg is latched. From this point on, the gas strut
becomes overcentre and slightly assists the extension of the leg. IOW,
with the flap disconnected, if I push the leg down with my finger on the top
of it, the load progressively gets lighter on my finger until the leg
suddenly leaves my finger and locks itself down. It is for this reason, I
cannot see how it will be any worse than the original set-up and in fact,
makes me believe that if anything, it should be slightly better on
extension.
Cheers
Kingsley
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