I agree. I wasthe unlucky Europa pilot that had to buy new airmaster blades
after the gear retracted after landing. I believe that the locking latch was
not down, or it jumped out (Monowheel, of course) on landing.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Terry Seaver" <terrys@cisco.com>
Subject: Re: Gear UP warning
> Carl,
>
> From my flying experience, I don't believe you are likely to inadvertantly
land
> a Europa with the flaps (and gear) up, the sight picture is different than
with
> them down. Motor gliders have no flaps to change the landing attitude, and
there
> has been a gear up landing with the long wings reported.
> There have been a number of reported cases of landings with the gear lock
either
> not engaged, or with the lock hopping out during the roll out, causing the
gear
> to retract during roll out. If you decide to implement a gear warning, I
would
> suggest that a lock warning would be the most likely feature to be useful
(or a
> lock for the lock).
>
> my two cents worth,
> Terry Seaver
> A135 / N135TD
>
> Carl Pattinson wrote:
>
> > Hi Folks,
> >
> > As the day of our first flight draws nearer (permit to test applied
for), we
> > have been having some thoughts about the possibility of landing gear up.
> >
> > OK so it shouldnt happen but everybody knows that if it can, then it
will.
> >
> > We now of at least one Europa owner who lost his prop because he forgot
to
> > lower the undercariage and we are sure there are many more who kept
quiet
> > (lets face it its not something one admits to !).
> >
> > Anyway whether it is a real risk or not we thought it might be a good
idea
> > to build in some added insurance and wondered if anybody else has been
there
> > before.
> >
> > A recent trip to Maplins came up with a nifty door alarm which costs a
mere
> > 5.00 and activates an ear shattering scream (110db) when the magnet is
> > moved away from the alarm box (about the size of a packet of
cigarettes). If
> > the idea works we may remove the reed switch out of the box to save
space
> > (and move the box to somewhere out of the way). Incidentally the power
> > supply is 2 AAA batteries.
> >
> > Our simple solution was to attach the magnet to the gear retraction arm
(on
> > top of the armrest/ wheelwell next to the locking latch) with the alarm
unit
> > resting beside it and then wire in a microswitch so that the alarm is
> > powered up when the throttle lever is closed (or partially closed - some
> > trial and error required here)
> >
> > If the throttle is closed and the gear is not locked down the alarm
will
> > sound (there is also a flasher). Sounds simple, so where's the catch.
> >
> > If anyone has a better idea please let us know.
> >
> > Carl Pattinson
> > G-LABS
> >
>
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