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09-22-2009, 09:12 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 710
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retractable gear on RVs?
Sorry if this is dumb, but I'm at the bottom of the learning curve. With all the mods I read about for RVs, is there a mod for retractable landing gear, especially for the taildragger -7 or -9? If so, other than looking cool in the air, what is the upside and downside of doing this? Thanks
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09-22-2009, 09:22 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Gold Hill, NC25
Posts: 2,408
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Recommend you use the search function.
Hint:
Search, advanced, retract, search titles only, Wallah
You can do the same for retractable, or other terms of interest.
Start with titles only, move on to posts if you dont like what you get.
You will find much material.
__________________
Kahuna
6A, S8 ,
Gold Hill, NC25
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09-22-2009, 09:33 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 211
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Retractable Gear in an RV
Several years ago Kitplanes (or EAA Sport Aviation mag) had a feature on a guy in Germany adding retractable gear to an RV. He had both a retractable and fixed and after a ton of work, the retractable gear added about 2-3 knots to the total speed. The article was interesting to read and the technical obstacles overcome were formitable, but bottom line is the fixed gear is very efficient with the proper fairings.
S S Anderson
RV 7A Flying
Await kid graduation to buy more avgas
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09-22-2009, 10:18 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chesterfield, Missouri
Posts: 4,514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve A
Several years ago Kitplanes (or EAA Sport Aviation mag) had a feature on a guy in Germany adding retractable gear to an RV. He had both a retractable and fixed and after a ton of work, the retractable gear added about 2-3 knots to the total speed. The article was interesting to read and the technical obstacles overcome were formitable, but bottom line is the fixed gear is very efficient with the proper fairings.
S S Anderson
RV 7A Flying
Await kid graduation to buy more avgas
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Burt Rutan determined the same thing many years ago with his canard airplanes. It simply is not worth the complexity and cost to do it. If we flew at 400 knots it would be another matter entirely, but not at the speeds we fly.
The cost of maintaining the retraction system is much over the years. Every annual the certified retracts have to be swung plus insurance premiums are always higher as there is some truth to the saying there are those who have and those who will - land gear up.
The only thing that prevents it in big airplanes is a checklist, another crew member reading it, and the death penalty if you don't. 
__________________
RV-12 Build Helper
RV-7A...Sold #70374
The RV-8...Sold #83261
I'm in, dues paid 2019 This place is worth it!
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09-22-2009, 10:46 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ankeny, Iowa
Posts: 194
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Upside is 2-3kts, less fiberglass work which some seem to hate with a passion, and easier tire inspections. Short of a major new finding in cooling drag, this may be one of the last places to pick up knots after the aft cowling fairing.
Downside is designing and engineering your own solution, as there aren't any ready-made mods that I'm aware of. You might be able to kit-bash from another plane, but you'll still have to incorporate that design in and really test it out.
I would think it'd be easier than the stretch 6. If you want it bad enough, it's not insurmountable. It would be a big undertaking however.
__________________
Chanler Childs
RV-8A
Empennage complete
Building wings
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09-22-2009, 11:41 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 3
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There you are
Pics taken on the 2nd RV meeting in Damme, Germany. I hope the owner doesn`t mind me posting these.

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09-23-2009, 05:16 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,892
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Retractable tailwheel too...
Very well done example but I'm guessing an additional 250 lbs or more. I also read that this airplane cruises right at VNE, not just 2-3 knots faster.
Regards,
__________________
Rv10 Sold
46 years ag pilot/CFI
Air Tractor 502/PT-6
Building RV-12, Wings, fuse, emp complete. FWF in progress.
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09-23-2009, 07:56 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Garden City, Tx
Posts: 5,357
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pierre smith
Very well done example but I'm guessing an additional 250 lbs or more. I also read that this airplane cruises right at VNE, not just 2-3 knots faster.
Regards,
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Possibly - but that's a function of power as well - and with that 3-blade prop the obvious question is what engine is installed?
__________________
Greg Niehues - SEL, IFR, Repairman Cert.
Garden City, TX VAF 2021 dues paid 
N16GN flying 750 hrs and counting; IO360, SDS, WWRV200, Dynon HDX, IFD440
Built an off-plan RV9A with too much fuel and too much HP. Should drop dead any minute now.
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09-23-2009, 08:01 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,969
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shockwave
Downside is designing and engineering your own solution, as there aren't any ready-made mods that I'm aware of. You might be able to kit-bash from another plane, but you'll still have to incorporate that design in and really test it out.
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Another downside not mentioned is the placement of the fuel tanks farther outboard.
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century. Over 1,000 certifications accomplished.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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09-23-2009, 08:05 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 08A
Posts: 9,873
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That 'ole boy has been tinkering with a lot of things...for example, check out the cooling air exit area and exhaust system.
__________________
Dan Horton
RV-8 SS
Barrett IO-390
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