'Speed Pants'...

....originally for BD-4, but available for all. A little more speed for that RV?

http://www.bedecorp.com/images/price...peed_pants.pdf


--
Dan DeVillers
http://www.ameritech.net/users/ddevillers/start.html


..

It's likely the 12 mph speed increase is in comparison to an airplane that has no wheel pants at all. You might get 2 mph out of the closing doors.

I was thinking the same thing. Doesn't justify the cost nor the
complexity and upkeep, unless you bought it for the WOW factor.

"karel" wrote in message

Sounds reasonable, yes, but they DO look cool!
Wouldn't want the complication of an extra (belden?) cable, though.
If some clever one could find a way to maken them open
automagically, now that would be great!

Curb feelers?

Rich S.

Sounds reasonable, yes, but they DO look cool!
Wouldn't want the complication of an extra (belden?) cable, though.
If some clever one could find a way to maken them open
automagically, now that would be great!

KA

I think one of my normal landings would automagically open them without any intervention what so ever. Might not be
able to close 'em again, though.



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"Flyingmonk" wrote in message
oups.com...
It's likely the 12 mph speed increase is in comparison to an airplane
that has no wheel pants at all. You might get 2 mph out of the closing
doors.

I was thinking the same thing. Doesn't justify the cost nor the
complexity and upkeep, unless you bought it for the WOW factor.


OTOH, they might be an interesting work-around for LSA... (smirk)

Peter

"JJS" jschneider@remove socks cebridge.net wrote in message
...
I think one of my normal landings would automagically open them without
any intervention what so ever. Might not be
able to close 'em again, though.

You know, that is probably part of the design. If you forget to open them,
they just shatter.

"C.D.Damron" wrote in message
news:aMomf.616786$_o.32250@attbi_s71...

"JJS" jschneider@remove socks cebridge.net wrote in message
...
I think one of my normal landings would automagically open them without
any intervention what so ever. Might not be
able to close 'em again, though.

You know, that is probably part of the design. If you forget to open
them,
they just shatter.



You are probably right. Which might also explain why they are only on the
mains and not on the (fully castering) nosewheel.

Peter

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"karel" wrote

Sounds reasonable, yes, but they DO look cool!
Wouldn't want the complication of an extra (belden?) cable, though.
If some clever one could find a way to maken them open
automagically, now that would be great!

How about using ram pressure to keep them closed, via a pneumatic
cylinder,
then when ram pressure is less, like slowing for landings, they open up,
probably spring assisted.
--
Jim in NC

You could also use something similar to a Piper stall vane, where at some
predetermined AOA, the vane operates a switch that opens the doors.
Alternately, you could plumb a pressure sensitive switch into the
pitot/static line.

You'd need to have the thing rigged to fail in the "open" position, or an
electrical glitch could result in a landing that went crunch, instead of
chirp (or bounce, bounce, thud.)

KB

"Peter Dohm" wrote

OTOH, they might be an interesting work-around for LSA... (smirk)

What kind of work around is needed for LSA? The biggest problem for LSA is
going to be going too fast.

Even then, what good would be getting an extra two knots or so?

Anyway, IMHO, I would think the powers that be would consider it a
retractable landing gear if there are doors that close, sealing the wheel.
It would make little difference if the doors are on the fuselage, or on some
fairings.
--
Jim in NC

"karel" wrote

Sounds reasonable, yes, but they DO look cool!
Wouldn't want the complication of an extra (belden?) cable, though.
If some clever one could find a way to maken them open
automagically, now that would be great!

How about using ram pressure to keep them closed, via a pneumatic cylinder,
then when ram pressure is less, like slowing for landings, they open up,
probably spring assisted.
--
Jim in NC