-"A" Nose Gear

Daniel S. · #1 11-15-2012, 12:08 PM

Seriously, I Know this topic has been beaten to death by others, including myself. BUT... I'm really curious why no one has taken the bull by the horns & cloned the 10/14 nose gear setup (but scaled down for the 7/8/9). I'm no engineer but I'd think it would be simple enough to revese-engineer the engine mount & nose gear strut from the 10/14 & scale it down. What about the guys who make all the weldments for vans? On second thought, they probably have a sales agreement with vans... But there's a small fortune that could be made here. It's something I'd definately be willing to invest in and sell as an aftermarket option

... Not every landing can be perfect every single time. Close but not all the time...

I know, I know there is the TW option & I do have my TW endorsement plus a ton of TW time... But all I want is beefy nose gear & not a total experiment like Mick's steerable nose strut, although that is VERY, VERY Cool by the way.

Just random thoughts & questions here

Ron Lee · #2 11-15-2012, 01:53 PM

Perhaps the cost is not worth it.

pierre smith · #3 11-15-2012, 02:15 PM

That, and the fact that it is not a faulty design, as thousands of airplanes have not gone over.

Unforgiving of lousy landings perhaps, or unseen gopher holes.

Best,

Ron Lee · #4 11-15-2012, 02:53 PM

Or wet surfaces. Search about a 9A that went over sometime earlier this year. My recollection is that it flipped over after recent rains. Maybe there was a grading of the turf/grass/dirt strip and the problem occurred in that area.

Can't blame the nosegear for that.

Look at recent FAA accident reports and I see Cessna's that flip over after landing off airport.

But do not let that view keep someone from making a mod that they feel is of value to some folks.

Bavafa · #5 11-15-2012, 02:53 PM

How many 10s or 14s have landed on grass strips with gopher holes or really soft/mud strip to know that those will not go over?

WenEng · #6 11-15-2012, 03:03 PM

I agree with Pierre but still put a mod on the nose gear leg. From AntiSplatAero. Reinforces the gear leg, moves the forces further up the gear leg when an unfortunate situation would otherwise roll the bottom of the gear leg under causing many problems, and put the skid plate on the bottom of the leg to offer some level of help in keeping it from digging in when the castle nut hits the dirt, so to speak. I don't intend to test any of it

PerfTech · #7 11-15-2012, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Lee

Perhaps the cost is not worth it.

...I THINK YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!!
...We can make this retrofit, and it's not all that difficult. From the people we have talked to about this most all are not willing to spend what would be required. First you need a new engine mount, gear leg assembly and all associated parts and hardware, a new exhaust system, extensive cowling, fairing etc modifications and re-paint. Collectively this is a very expensive and labor intensive undertaking. The price would need be at best the cost of these items for a 10 from Vans. To even consider building this kit would require sales in the several hundred range or the pricing would be cost prohibitive to most people. With just a few inexpensive mods and parts the original gear is very good and provides excellent performance without breaking the bank and requires very little labor. But if we get an adequate number of interested people we can build this for sure. Thanks, Allan...

diamond · #8 11-15-2012, 03:19 PM

I'm with you on this one Daniel. I also have never seen a satisfactory explanation as to why a RV10/14 style nose gear can't be implemented on a 7, 9, or other RV with reasonable effort. I will have lots of potential gopher holes to deal with and want every advantage possible if I go with an A model.

Ron Lee · #9 11-15-2012, 03:48 PM

Diamond, I will offer my free advice. If you have gophers stay away from an A model. This may not apply to the RV-10.

diamond · #10 11-15-2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerfTech

...I THINK YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!!
...We can make this retrofit, and it's not all that difficult. From the people we have talked to about this most all are not willing to spend what would be required. First you need a new engine mount, gear leg assembly and all associated parts and hardware, a new exhaust system, extensive cowling, fairing etc modifications and re-paint. Collectively this is a very expensive and labor intensive undertaking. The price would need be at best the cost of these items for a 10 from Vans. To even consider building this kit would require sales in the several hundred range or the pricing would be cost prohibitive to most people. With just a few inexpensive mods and parts the original gear is very good and provides excellent performance without breaking the bank and requires very little labor. But if we get an adequate number of interested people we can build this for sure. Thanks, Allan...

No doubt it would cost more than the antisplat mod you currently offer, but I'd bet you would have more interest in a true Rv10/14 style nose gear mod than you might guess. Allan, how about you come up with a good estimate of how much a retrofit type kit of this sort would cost and then do a poll to measure interest? Also take in to account what Vans would refund a customer for unused parts out of a kit order.