I don't think one could ever make an oleo "slam to a stop" Bill. I was measuring mine today, and it would be impossible to compress the washers or donuts enough to bottom out the piston, there is like 3 or 4 inches free at the bottom of the piston travel..
--- In [email protected], William R. Bayne <ercog...@...> wrote: > > > Hi Jim, > > You're absolutely correct in that the donuts absorb bumps from taxiing > on irregular surfaces since the weight of the airplane will fully > deplete all possible oleo travel/action after the oleos absorb any > "shock" incurred in the actual process of landing and the movement of > the fully extended trailing arm-oleo combination up into the normal > taxi configuration. > > Obviously there is SOME give in rubber donuts that aren't ten years old > and hard. If one's oleos don't extend upon takeoff, the majority of > crosswind landings by a proficient pilot (or one that does not fly in > crosswinds exceeding 20 mph or so) might well seem "normal" at the > moment of touchdown. More damage is likely from the movement of free > but dry oleos slamming to a stop at the end of undampened travel than > touching down with frozen oleos. > > No one would go out and practice crosswind landings in a brisk, gusty > breeze if reasonable proficiency and decent landings under such > conditions were not possible for most. If there is the slightest doubt > as to being in full control at the time of touchdown, DO NOT LAND but > go around until an opportunity for a "good" touchhdown is perceived and > timely accepted. The process should not be one of "shut your eyes and > pray". > > More than a few Ercoupes have changed hands with marginally functional > oleos and been flown without apparent damage until the next annual by a > competent mechanic. A new owner with no Ercoupe experience may have no > "frame of reference" to call attention to the problem until their first > poor landing ;<) > > The trailing arm gear works fine without oleo action. Excess stress to > the spar and landing gear imparted by a poorly controlled "arrival" is > less likely to result in permanent damage when the generous amount of > shock absorption provided in the design is maintained and available. > > Regards, > > WRB > > -- > > On May 24, 2010, at 16:20, Jim Gall wrote: > > > > > > > I may mistaken, but I though the donuts were for taxiing, and the > > hydraulic piston with the small hole in the button that was forcing > > the hydraulic fluid up into the piston was for landing.. I can't see > > how anyone could land in a crosswind with the piston stuck in the > > cylinder? > > > > JIM GALL 94020 >
