Gear Retraction on Take Off

[billsheila]

OK, I am a little thick but I get it now. So Tropical and I are in agreement, I think, except he still wants to see the gear in transit ASAP after becoming airborne does he not? So I gather the logic would be get the plane cleaned up ASAP

Roger, re your incident, presumably your breaker wouldn't have popped if the gear were down and locked right? So why not leave them down and don't risk the possible effects of any configuration changes until you gain some altitude...which was my original point.

I checked my manual again and am embarrassed to say it indeed does contain data on the minus 240 ft/minute effect of in-transit climb impact of retraction (on single engine, rear operating) and quotes minus 110 ft/minute (on single engine, front engine operating). What is not quoted is the drag effect of the gear themselves, ie if left down.

Back to your incident, do you think your plane would climb on single engine, other feathered, gear down and locked...or only a cool day?

I like the suggestion of trying this at altitude and figuring it out that way. In the meantime, I will fly a 336 for the first bit of every flight.

[Roger]

Down and Locked is good. Up and locked is good. In transit blows.

Yes the plane should climb with one engine out and the gear down under most scenerios ( ie.. standard day, or not overloaded, etc.. ) Always check your book and CG to be safe just in case.

My scenerio was classic in that I had set my Props and Throttle for cruise climb and was about 450' off the runway (which was sea level by the way) and I put the gear up. I hadn't flown it in about 3 weeks, and for whatever reason, the breaker popped. I knew almost instantly what was happening becuase it almost stopped climbing, looked out at my shaving mirror on the strut fairing, and saw the open door.

Moved my left knee away from the circuit breaker panel and was happy to see the popped breaker . Happy becuase it seemed like a no-brainer. Worse if you have stuck doors and the breaker is in, because at that point your potential for quick fix deteriorates. Popped the breaker back in, and doors closed immed.

I cycled the gear 3 times when at 2000 feet to make sure everything was working, and didn't have any more problems.

Once it happens to you (gear doors stay open) you won't ask the question "why wait" ever again. Sure you don't look like a fighter pilot, but it's worth the perceived humiliation