noodles Posted May 19, 2003 Share Posted May 19, 2003 What are the available nose gear retracts available on the market? What are the available pro's and con's. I've seen these two, but there is a significant difference in the price. http://www.eznoselift.com/ $1400 http://www.canard.com/~noselift/ $1000 www.kitaircraftparts.com $390 Anyone have any suggestions? Quote Cozy IV project. Redheaded Stepchild of The Canard Community Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Slade Posted May 19, 2003 Share Posted May 19, 2003 I have Jack Wilhelmson's unit - see http://www.eznoselift.com/ It's very well built and in general seems like excellent workmanship. While on Jack's web site check out his nose gear fork bearings. Definately an improvement on the standard ones. Jack's noselift is probably the most expensive of the options, but IMHO it's probably still the best value. It's a lot shorter than the Wright nose lift, so it doesnt need a hole in the bulkhead, and it doesn't interfer with the instrument space. Jack also offers an auto-retract option which some like. (not me - I dont want a gizmo dealing with such an important issue until I get to rely on it). Finally, there are no exposed springs in Jack's unit. One feature worth looking at in detail is the lifting force. What limits does the designer place on the unit's ability to lift a fully loaded airplane from a full nose down attitude? Speed of operation is important (at least it will be the day you remember to lower the gear on very short final ) - this is could also be important for emergency braking situations if you're running out of runway. Another item to look at is the manual retract capability. If you use Jack's unit you will probably need the additional U joint to lower the manual retract down the panel. Quote I can be reached on the "other" forum http://canardaviationforum.dmt.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noodles Posted May 20, 2003 Author Share Posted May 20, 2003 I finally found that third nose gear retract system. www.kitaircraftparts.com The system is a kit and it cost $390.00. I wanted to know if anyone knows any specific information about this unit. Some people tend to be wary of less exspensive unit with any purchase. Is this a fair buy or is it going to be future headaches? Quote Cozy IV project. Redheaded Stepchild of The Canard Community Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Zeitlin Posted May 20, 2003 Share Posted May 20, 2003 Originally posted by noodles I finally found that third nose gear retract system. www.kitaircraftparts.com The system is a kit and it cost $390.00. I wanted to know if anyone knows any specific information about this unit. Some people tend to be wary of less exspensive unit with any purchase. Is this a fair buy or is it going to be future headaches? As one who has the stock Brock hand crank system and plans to install the Wilhelmson system sometime this summer (if $$ appears), this unit seems to have all the disadvantages of an electric system without any of the advantages. It does NOT remove the requirement to lift the aircraft using brute strength, meaning your back will pay. All it does is remove the necessity to crank the handle, which is, by far, the easiest part of raising/lowering the gear. I have no clue why anyone would purchase this system. Quote Marc J. Zeitlin Burnside Aerospace marc_zeitlin@alum.mit.edu www.cozybuilders.org copyright © 2024 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Slade Posted May 20, 2003 Share Posted May 20, 2003 >The system is a kit and it cost $390.00. >Is this a fair buy or is it going to be future headaches? It looks suspiciously like a windshield motor to me. If you accept the features as worthwhile (fast raising and lowering while airborne) then you can get a motor from a breaker's yards and fabricate the same thing for $15. If you go this way, the Wilhelmson unit will cost you $1790. Quote I can be reached on the "other" forum http://canardaviationforum.dmt.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noodles Posted May 20, 2003 Author Share Posted May 20, 2003 Alright, That cleared that up pretty quick. I figured the veterans of the group would know the right answer. Basically it's better to go manual, save your bones and buy the Jack Wilhelmson's unit when you can afford it. Thanks, Quote Cozy IV project. Redheaded Stepchild of The Canard Community Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dust Posted May 20, 2003 Share Posted May 20, 2003 That chapter seems to be quite a bit in the future for you, save a few sheckels a week and by the time you need it it will be there. Quote maker wood dust and shavings - foam and fiberglass dust and one day a cozy will pop out, enjoying the build i can be reached at http://www.canardcommunity.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBarber Posted May 20, 2003 Share Posted May 20, 2003 Now, that is a skill I want to develop....saving a few "sheckles" while building an airplane All the best, Chris Quote Christopher Barber Velocity SE/FG w/yoke. Zoom, zoom, zoom. www.LoneStarVelocity.com Live with Passion... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Slade Posted May 20, 2003 Share Posted May 20, 2003 Basically it's better to go manual, save your bones and buy the Jack Wilhelmson's unit when you can afford it Not really. There are a lot of expensive Brock parts you don't have to buy if you use a nose list. Best way to do this is not install ANY retract mechanism while doing that chapter. Just drill the holes in the bulkheads for the manual / wilhelmson unit. Make a gear-down locking stick from a steel 2 * 4 and move on. If you still dont have the price of the nose lift saved by the time you're ready to fly, you have a fixed gear aircraft. just like a C172 or a PA28. Quote I can be reached on the "other" forum http://canardaviationforum.dmt.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.