Originally Posted by
mr_matt
Hello,
Have the matrix gear ever been flown by anyone?
Matt, that’s a valid question. The Matrix Machine gear has not been installed and flown to date. I do have the first generation gear and had planned to do a test to find out how much more weight the new gear can lift with the same air pressure. Two air cylinders are used on the new gear. There was only one cylinder on the old gear. Also, the linkage is significantly different on the new gear. The mechanical advantage is improved in the upper range of retraction. Finally, mechanical up locks and down locks are designed into the new mechanism. From what I understand, the old main gear did successfully retract on occasion but G forces could pull it down again. It relied on air pressure to keep it in place which wasn’t reliable.
The point is, the retracts have already been reengineered by some good minds. This was a sizable investment in itself. Please give me a call if you would like to discuss further. Now you’ve got me thinking, I might just rig up that test…