Modifying Skymaster landing gear

[Roger]

There is certainly nothing wrong with having any given "fear", and I am sure we all have different ones. There is some talk on this board about the "fear" of engine fire, prompting a search for a system to alert operators if it happens in the rear engine, etc..

The only thing that I might point out is that the "fear" about a gear up landing is really kind of an issue that cuts both ways. In other words, in some instances you may very well want the gear up, if you need to make an unscheduled landing depending on the terrain. Over water or particularly roung terrain, you are typically better off leaving the gear up.

There are a few different devices on the market that will better alert you through your headset or speaker if your gear is not down when close to landing. Spend a little money on that type of backup system, and then you will have the best of "both worlds".

And lastly keep in mind that if you land gear up, so what. I saw a skymaster that had just done it, and all it needed for repair was a little skin work.

Good Luck/Roger

[sns3guppy]

I have had several students in single engine airplanes who were afraid to raise the gear in a Cessna 210. They wanted to do the training with the gear down, on the premise that the gear might fail with use. This is somewhat akin to never wanting to bend one's knees on the off chance they might wear out, or the ancient hang gliding counsel that one should never fly higher than one cares to fall.

Raise the gear.

Yes, landing gear does fail. The Cessna gear is no exception. Like all things mechanical, however, and like all aircraft systems, there are procedures for handling failures.

The Cessna gear system found on the Skymaster has several potential fixes, from replenishing fluid in flight to pumping gear down by hand, to shutting the system off to cool. Knowing the system is the secret to getting comfortable with the system. Not knowing the system, not knowing any system, inspires distrust and fear. Get to know your airplane.

[Ernie Martin]

Your concerns about "additional maintenance/expense (like rebuilding/replacing hydraulic cylinders..." I think is unfounded. Over 12 years on two Skymasters I have never spent a penny on gear maintenance except for inspecting it at annual and one time when I changed the hoses. With you being an A&P, the issue is even less significant.

Just think about it. One suggestion: buy it, fly it for a while, and then decide.

Ernie

[Skymaster337B]

I have aircraft insurance for one reason...gear up landing, mechanical or cranial-rectum inversion. I highly recommend you do the same. Then you don't need an unnatural fear of retracting the gear.

[cessnadriver]

To all, thank you for your comment/advise.
I understand the concept of the gear and the potential of lessening the value of my plane "IF" I decide to modify the gear. Here is another way to look at this.
Being unique! Since the bird I'm getting is somewhat a project I'll have time to evaluate the system and maintenance involved in maintaining it. I certainly don't plan on "ripping" the system out day one. I still need to talk to the DAR that approved the mod and see if in fact it will be too expensive to do? Besides what wrong with simplicity?
Thanks, BILLS

[WebMaster]

Originally Posted by cessnadriver

Besides what wrong with simplicity?
Thanks, BILLS

Nothing at all. And it will reduce your insurance costs.
I think a bunch of 337 Field modification forms will be required, but no STC. You will have to come up with a way to make sure the landing gear doesn't retract on you. This means it is more complex than just removing the cylinders, hoses, etc.

Take a look at the one that has been done, they put wheel pants on the mains.

[Roger]

Or just stop thinking about it and pull the circuit breaker. Next