Marc and netters It has been said many times, so I won't get into the nitty gritty details here but: 1. There are those that have had a gear up and those that will... 2. Well designed fixed gear, with well designed fairings have been shown to fly faster in nearly all cases over retracts, when it comes to aircraft that fly 200 mph or less. The drag reduction is just not enough to justify the extra weight, etc...
2 such cases: first the Piper Archer vs. the Piper Arrow. Both equipped with the same engine, avionics, etc.. the Archer is lighter, so has a higher useable load, higher cruise speed (when wheel fairings are used), and has more fuel capable for greater range. AND it insures for less due to the fact that it is not a Complex Airplane (adjustable pitch prop, retracts, and flaps). Second: the original KR2 with retracts vs. the KR2 with fairings: given the same engine/prop/weights, the fixed gear is 10 to 30 mph faster, depending on how clean the fuse is. It is lighter, yielding once again greater speeds capable (and lower stall speeds), better climb, and longer range. AND don't forget that annual maintenance (if it lets you get to the year end) to keep up the retracts. Colin Rainey [email protected]
