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I recently acquired a set of tires, wheels & Cleveland brakes from Clem
Beauchamin's sad loss. I also acquired his struts, with the lip seals
and bellevue springs plus 7/8" spacers, as I have the newer nose gear.
John Wright, Sr. told me to NOT use the spacers: he described the low
tail height as a "myth" (yup, his word) and that he's seen too many
examples of center section damage owing to not enough oleo travel that
he does NOT recommend the spacers be used.
It seems that about a year ago (while I was pretty new to this list) I
read a long string of discussion on these spacers. My plane has old
struts, no doubt with shot oleos and tired rubber, so getting Clem's
pair, that had been serviced 3 years ago by J.W., Sr. and have the
springs instead of the rubber seemed wonderful. Needless to say I was
floored by Mr. Wright's remark. I am due for annual so I reckoned that
in the course of it, the Clevelands would be fitted, as well as the
replacement struts.
What about those spacers? I have around 100 hours in my 415-C and have
not attempted a "wicked" cross wind - my instructor simply told me that
after my mains were planted to shove the yoke forward and steer.
??????????????????
J.B. Brennan
PS - yeah, my tail is quite low now, but I think the replacement struts
with the springs will bring it up a lot (I think my doughnuts are sad -
they're sticky to the touch), but I really don't want to make this a
two visit job if I can help it.
PPS - on takeoff, my plane, even with its low tail, obviously has a
negative angle of attack - yesterday I guess I let it get up near 80
before I picked it off (very long & smooth RW)
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