I a sure Roger is right, and that is why I leave the wheel down when
trailering on a dolly. However I first had trouble when flying though some
severe turbulence in rotor in fairly high wind conditions in Welsh
mountains. I only discovered the problem when I came to put the gear down
and found that the joint had moved so that the gear lever stopped something
like a cm short of its 'Down' detent. The problem was solved by pulling very
hard on the lever and then giving my right fist a mighty thump with the
other one. Since then I disassembled the joint, packed it with blue sticky
mixture and reassembled it with mod 51. I have had no problem since in spite
of lots of turbulence and knowing that mod 51 was shot & useless for some
years. Regards, David Joyce, G-XSDJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Mills" <Roger.Mills@btinternet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 11:37 AM
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Check your Landing Gear Retraction Lever Strut
(Mod 51)
> In my experience the danger is when you trailer the aircraft on a belly
> dolly with the Monowheel locked in the retracted position (although flying
> through prolonged choppy turbulence at 120kt might not be far behind?).
> The
> forces applied by the heavy weight of the wheel/tyre and long moment of
> the
> undercarriage arm when driving over potholes and other road surface
> problems
> are significant. Before fitting the strut I experienced significant
> distortion and elongation of the three holes through using a trailer with
> the wheel fully retracted just once and had to fabricate a new landing
> gear
> lever.
>
>
> I hoped the strut would fix the weakness but it's conceivable that the
> forces involved in rough/turbulent air flight might elongate the bottom
> hole
> - will have to disassemble and examine now.
>
>
> Roger Mills
>
> G-BVUV
>
>
>
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