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Pietenpol-List: A metal vs wood consideration
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:29 pm
by matronics
Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips"
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RE: Pietenpol-List: Straight Axle gear questions
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:44 pm
by matronics
Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Mike, you are correct that I have 6" clearance between the gear legs and thebrakes, which is adequate for the bungess, but just barely. One suggestionI can make after 150 hours of flying and several years of operation is toinlet the landing gear fittings into the wood of the struts if possible toprevent making a chafe point to snag and chafe the bungees. Changing thebungess is a pain in the butt, and I have to change mine about every 18months - not due to the rubber getting loose, but because the fabric cordhas been chafed through and the rubber strands are getting cut by the edgeof the V-Block fittings. Anything you do to make that less of a chafe pointwould be good.I think the guide pins on my axle are about 8" long. I also have a loop of1/8" stainless cable at each end of the axle as a "Disaster Preventer",which allows the axle to move about 6" before it is suspended by the cable.In case the bungees break, this will prevent the wingtip from reaching theground. I'll have it at Brodhead and you can check it out for yourself.Also Mike Cuy's will be there (I just copied his design), so you can see theoriginal.Jack PhillipsNX899JP _____