Retracts or fixed gear?

[Lynn Erickson]

Originally Posted by TMann

I'll let John do the talking (which he does in his own words at www.iflyez.com) as to whether it was worth it or not.

As for his timeline, you need to look at all the mods he did during that time. He completed a lot of items:
Longer nose
Downdraft cooling
Infinity Retracts
Yada, yada, yada

Everytime the subject comes up there is this effort to talk someone out of a R/G implementation. I knew I wanted retracts ...... 20 years ago when I bought my plans.

Berkut has retracts as does Velocity, eRacer and a few others.

For the sake of argument, yes it will add the following:
Weight
Time
Money

In the case of the Infinity Gear, the capability to handle a greater gross weight (from the landing capability) is greatly enhanced.

It's not a logic question. I've noticed lately that I haven't seen many birds flying with their legs hanging down.

You forgot he also use a lot of time because he had to redesign several parts in the retracts to make them safe. He also designed a new electrical control system which I was badly needed. anyone attempting this gear systen should really consider using Waiter's control system. this will save you many hours and head aches or leg aches

[TMann]

Originally Posted by Lynn Erickson

He also designed a new electrical control system which I was badly needed. anyone attempting this gear systen should really consider using Waiter's control system.

Waiter's controller is a great enhancement to ANY retractable gear system. The setup coordinates the retraction of the nose gear to coincide with the mains.
While the majority of the Infinity retracts run with the stock controller (Bill Ortell and all the others) the PLC driven solution is a nice option.
Waiter has been good enough share his development skills in generating the ladder code that runs on the PLC. For us developer types that's a great jump start.
The PLC coded to perform many additional functions as has been outlined in Al Wick's Glass Panel group. Al has his configured to play an audible warning through the headset in the event that you are slowing to a critical speed when you still have the gear up.
The possibilities are only limited to your imagination.

• Gear Up Warning
• Go Around switch (automatically retract the gear and landing brake at the same time.)

The original cotroller only operated the mains (much like the Berkut, eRacer, Velocity, etc.)

Originally Posted by Lynn Erickson

You forgot he also use a lot of time because he had to redesign several parts in the retracts to make them safe.

I know he made some changes to improve his comfort level. There has been changes since the first generation of the gear (which is what John has.)
As for any true deficiencies in the gear, I would choose to defer to an engineer on that. I think it is extremely foolish to supose I am more qualified to access structural integrity of such a product. There no shortage of such assessments, I am sure.

[Dennis Passey]

I take back everything I mentioned earlier about this subject as the best comments are from the source and that would be Waiter himself.
Thanks TMann for the link for others contemplating go, no-go on the InFin gear.
We all have our pets and I personally didnt drink the Koolaide on the InFin gear, but I did on the IO540 selection.
Like I said we all have our own directions.
Cheers.

[TMann]

Hey Marc! What kind of retracts are on White Night II?
I'm hoping it's not Infinity.

http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/article...WT.mc_sect=gan

[Marc Zeitlin]

Originally Posted by TMann

Hey Marc! What kind of retracts are on White Night II?
I'm hoping it's not Infinity.

White Knight 2. They're custom, as if you didn't know that. I was the FTE on that flight and called the gear issue to the pilot.

[TMann]

Originally Posted by Marc Zeitlin

White Knight 2. They're custom, as if you didn't know that.

Hmmmmm ...... okay. So we can't blame that one on JD, is that it?

[Marc Zeitlin]

Originally Posted by TMann

Hmmmmm ...... okay. So we can't blame that one on JD, is that it?

There aren't enough things to argue about - you need to start something that you know is meaningless?

[TMann]

Originally Posted by Marc Zeitlin

There aren't enough things to argue about - you need to start something that you know is meaningless?

All in jest Marc!
I'm in a good mood here.