Main landing gear

Todd Gessel · #1 07-15-10, 09:43 AM

I flew my 337G from Beaumont, Texas to Phoenix with the gear out and it seemed to reduce cruise about 8 knots for me.

rick bell · #2 07-15-10, 01:30 PM

there are a lot more out there who were scratching their heads trying to figure out
why the fat lady was going slow--- and they you would hear OH CRAP the gear is still
down #$%$^&

H H · #3 07-17-10, 06:20 PM

Thank all of you very much for the information.

I am planing to buy a 337, but then every one said that the landing gear this and that, so if it can be modify I will not belong to the club of: has and will forget to bring the landing gear down.

And 10 Knots is not is not that bad.

Thank each one of you again

H H

hharney · #4 07-18-10, 03:22 PM

Actually, when you better understand the system and get the comfort feeling for the airplane you will be sorry you fixed the gear down. Just my opinion after flying one for 40 years.

Ernie Martin · #5 07-18-10, 05:39 PM

I agree with Herb, for several reasons, some not so obvious.

The issue of forgetting to lower the gear is an issue mostly during the transition phase, where protocol and procedures need to be remembered. Afterwards, it's sort of automatic. For me it's now habitual, impossible to forget.

10 knots doesn't seem like much now, but after you've had the airplane for a while, you'll want those 10 knots, you'll want to cut the time it takes to get there.

In an engine-out emergency, not having the extra drag of the gear might save your butt.

And finally, cost. If you would normally fly 100 hours per year in the regular Skymaster, you'll now fly about 108 hours to get to the same places, using about 160 more gallons, or an increase of roughly $650 per year in operating costs.

Ernie