Yep it looks quite viable. The U/C locates in the tunnel in the bottom of the fuse. There is a strip of insertion rubber glue in place front and rear in the tunnel making it a snug fit fore and aft. It is held in buy the 2 clamps on either side of the fuse. The rubber blocks located by the ridges in the upper surface adjacent to the Clamps locate it sideways. They also allow some movement sideways for shock loads in crossed up landing as the bolts holding the clamps are actually Rod Ends so allow some movement. There must be enough clearance between the cover and the centre of the U/C to alloy for it flexing. I had not thought of it before but you are tight. It would flex down in the middle. The Fuse profile is rounded and of course gets lower toward the middle. The U/C is straight between the clamp straps. The Original unit has a consistent section between the mounting clamps and the roving's do not start grading back until after the downward angle starts on the legs so would be the same principle as the Grove solution. I can't really see much difference in it mechanically other than the material. The alloy unit tapers after the bend so has the same elastic rate change principles happening as the original where the roving's are being graded out. Given the Alloy unit is only 1" thick you would think there would be clearance under the cover for flexing. Mounting the Alloy unit would require a Cuff to be bolted ( make the cuff as 2 halves and bolt through the sides to clamp it on) onto the Leg for the Clamp straps to go around and for the location of the Rubber Blocks. Could mould something in glass from the original leg for that. Seems like you might have a great solution Ian. Now you need a CAR 35 to look at it and ensure it meets the code and do an E.O. for it. An S.T.C. would be nice if we keep having problems with the originals and some how I think that is a foregone conclusion. I will watch this space with interest Ian. A reduction in weight would be great as well. It could gives us a bit more usable payload within the max weight of non lifting parts. Heather might be able to carry another pair of shoes on the next trip. Cheers. Nige.
----- Original Message ----- From: Joe Burley To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 12:10 AM Subject: RE: [DOG mailing list] Fwd: Estimate from Grove Aircraft Landing Gear Systems, Inc. Very interesting Ian! I was just researching the Grove website late last night. As a matter of fact, I just spend 30 minutes or so this morning reading the FAA requirements to see how difficult obtaining a FAA STC would be. Let's work on making this happen, I think this is the best solution I have seen for this issue yet. This is a double cantilever leaf spring design, is there enough room under the U/C cover to allow for the flex? I don't know that the dimona gear allows as much flex clearance in the center in a hard landing since all of the stress seems to be concentrated in the gear legs. Maybe Nigel or Ian can comment on this as I have not removed the undercarriage cover and seen the mounting points of the factory gear. Anyone have a photo with the gear off, or at least the U/C cover off? -Joe B ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:57:01 +1100 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [DOG mailing list] Fwd: Estimate from Grove Aircraft Landing Gear Systems, Inc. Got this as a possible replacement for dimona undercart even with spats it would be est 6kg lighter than the present system and is built to FAR 23 stds which are higher than the JAR22 std of the present cart It is certainly worth a thought and they make same for certified aircraft and come with release note. $200 extra is to have the oil line internal. I understand Daffyd Llwellyn has one for a plane he is building so I will ask him. sorry to be overloading peoples inbox but I think this is worth a thought as the originals are $12K and unailable for at least 4 to 6 months Ian M ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Gail Austin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: 21 Feb 2008 10:14 Subject: Estimate from Grove Aircraft Landing Gear Systems, Inc. To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear Ian McPhee : Please review the attached estimate. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to working with you. Sincerely, Gail Austin Grove Aircraft Landing Gear Systems, Inc. 619-562-1268 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Get it now!
