This may or may not be of interest but here is a short video (6 seconds)of
Zenith Aircraft drop testing the gear for the 601XL.

http://www.zenithair.com/video/gear_drop_test.mpeg


"Dick" wrote in message
news:lC%dh.4851$Jg.178@trnddc08...
I still haven't devised a method to drop test the gear leg off of the
plane. Anything practical come to mind? Thanks, Dick
wrote in message
ups.com...

Morgans wrote:
"Lamellae" wrote in message
link.net...
Dick wrote:

SECOND: What setup could be used to do such a load test??
Is it mandatory to actual freefall drop or somehow just apply the
load??

I vote for a drop, so it rings like a bell. A steady load won't be the
same.

Untrue. Force is force.

Force is force but impact loading and repeated loading cause
failures that are not observed under static loading condiitons.

It takes a finite amount of time for force to distribute itself
through the material. An impact can apply the force faster
than it is distributed, thus concentrating it, especially at
stress risers (e.g. notches). There may also be rebound
effects that will impart a load onto parts that would see none
at all in a static test.

As far as impacts go, dropping a landing gear is not terribly
extreme. But its not the same as a static load.

--

FF