Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

[N74DV]

Will I go to Taylorcraft hell if I considered installing this type of landing gear on a Taylorcraft?

http://www.groveaircraft.com/landing_gear.html

Yes I understand there will be much paperwork involved. I'm not 100% serious about the endeavor but the thought crossed my mind.

[flyguy]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

Gee, then you could bounce just like a Cessna 170.
DC

[d.grimm]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

The Super Cub banner airplanes use them, must be a reason, they don't add anything extra to these working airplanes.
Dave

[Marv]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

One thing about these spring landing gears, is you have fewer moving parts and no bungies to break. Of cource if the landing gear does break your screwed and it takes a better pilot to keep from bouncing. The Citabria 7KCAB uses this type of landing gear and have not heard of any problems with them, and from experience i can tell you that once you were used to this type of landing gear and the airplane there is no bounce problem. Marv

[mohawktipi]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

I've wanted to put the Grove gear on my L-2. In addition to eliminating the bungees, I think it would improve aerodynamics.

[M Towsley]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

DJ,

Blasphemy, yes. Ugly, yes.

And how do you make a cub slower, don't put a cowl on it!

Grove on an L-2? Tom, That is a piece of history you are taking care of. Buy an experimental if you want to mess with it. And L-2's just don't go fast, the glass, skinny fuselage and the wing cut-outs add to that problem.

All just my humble, tongue-in-cheek humorous opinion. (Except for the Grove on the L-2, DON'T DO IT)! hahahaha

[crispy critter]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

Gee, then you could bounce just like a Cessna 170.
DC

Hey,take it easy on the 170 bashing. Airplanes don't bounce,pilots do....lol.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

Wow . Well to each is own. I would think an experimental is in order buuut that just me talking

[N74DV]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

I guess I'll just stick with my retract modification..... maybe a Grove landing gear at a later date.

[M Towsley]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

What, DJ, no retractable tailwheel. I'm disappointed.

[N74DV]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

sorry Marty... couldn't figure an easy way to retract forward and still retain steering.

Ok.. here's a visual of a BC12D with Grove landing gear.

[M Towsley]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

Looks like a Cessna....

You are too much, DJ!

[crispy critter]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

I guess I'll just stick with my retract modification..... maybe a Grove landing gear at a later date.

Hey...that's giving me an idea. It can't be that hard to do,after all,I've seen retracts on a Pitts so a t-craft should be easy.....right??

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

There are LOTS of areas to clean up the drag that are less cost and weight than the gear. On a plane in the speed range of a Taylorcraft (and even TWICE as fast) retracts are WAY LOW on items to add. I would bet cooling drag on our planes is HUGE and you loose a LOT from poor fitting doors. Good door seals not only let you go faster, they make it a lot more pleasant. I'm still blown away with the drag from the tail wires. That even surprised me!
Hank

[crispy critter]

Re: Is it blasphemy? - Grove landing gear

There are LOTS of areas to clean up the drag that are less cost and weight than the gear. On a plane in the speed range of a Taylorcraft (and even TWICE as fast) retracts are WAY LOW on items to add. I would bet cooling drag on our planes is HUGE and you loose a LOT from poor fitting doors. Good door seals not only let you go faster, they make it a lot more pleasant. I'm still blown away with the drag from the tail wires. That even surprised me!
Hank

I hope you know that I was just kiddin about actually adding retracts Hank.