Bobcat XL nose gear flex plates
03-24-2013, 02:22 PM
#1
Bobcat XL nose gear flex plates
Hey there,
I had my first turbine flight in over 2 years today with an old Bobcat XL. Everything went good except for the landing, well, I should say, even the landing went really well, but it is off of a grass runway (very smooth though) and I touched on the mains, a bit of a bounce, and touched the mains again, put the brakes on, and the nose gear flex plates shattered, not just cracked, but shattered. I'd broken flex plates in the Kingcat on the mains before, but they kind of break and crack, they don't completely fail, these failed. Now granted, the jet was built in 2000 or so, and only had 3 previous flights on it before I got it, I don't know if these molded flex plates get brittle or not. Has anyone fitted something different that was stronger, or should I just order in bulk from BVM?
I will primarily be flying this off grass, so would like a stronger solution.
Thanks
I had my first turbine flight in over 2 years today with an old Bobcat XL. Everything went good except for the landing, well, I should say, even the landing went really well, but it is off of a grass runway (very smooth though) and I touched on the mains, a bit of a bounce, and touched the mains again, put the brakes on, and the nose gear flex plates shattered, not just cracked, but shattered. I'd broken flex plates in the Kingcat on the mains before, but they kind of break and crack, they don't completely fail, these failed. Now granted, the jet was built in 2000 or so, and only had 3 previous flights on it before I got it, I don't know if these molded flex plates get brittle or not. Has anyone fitted something different that was stronger, or should I just order in bulk from BVM?
I will primarily be flying this off grass, so would like a stronger solution.
Thanks
03-24-2013, 02:23 PM
#2
RE: Bobcat XL nose gear flex plates
Oh yeah, I gave up credit cards a long time ago, does anyone know if you can use paypal on BVM's site? I couldn't find that and didn't want to go all through the checkout ordeal right now just to find out.
Thanks
Thanks
03-24-2013, 08:50 PM
#6
RE: Bobcat XL nose gear flex plates
ORIGINAL: DAN AVILLA
BV makes aluminum replacements . They will bend but can be straightened . Make sure the bulk head is glued real good. Dan
BV makes aluminum replacements . They will bend but can be straightened . Make sure the bulk head is glued real good. Dan
Thanks!
03-25-2013, 07:52 AM
#9
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Bobcat XL nose gear flex plates
You will notice that the flex arms have a very thin connection to the front mounting screw hole, that is designed to be the failure point. If that section of the arm is not supported on the mounting rail it will shear very easily. If there is any gap between the front of the retract frame and the front mounting rail the flex arms will break with minimal shock to the nose gear.
If there is a gap (and I suspect there is) you might be able to just slide the assembly forward and drill new screw holes, but if the new holes are too close to the old holes it will be too weak and you will probably have to cut the rail out and install a new one.
If there is a gap (and I suspect there is) you might be able to just slide the assembly forward and drill new screw holes, but if the new holes are too close to the old holes it will be too weak and you will probably have to cut the rail out and install a new one.
