Hi All,

I'm thinking of getting either a ZN Alliance or Evolis, leaning towards the more modern Evolis now. However, I'm still a little undecided on whether to choose a fix gear setup or retracts.

I'm aware of the fix gear benefits, like weight and knife-edge flights, but during cross-wind, how adverse can the effect be on the plane, since its side profile is increased.

Also, for retracts, the plane just looks cleaner in the air too for F3A. But, fix gear seems to be in vogue now, so.........

Hope you experts out there can help me out with this dilemma.

Thanks
Alex

Competition has it's own needs which will vary from flyer to flyer, and since I'm not a top Pattern competitor, take this with a grain of salt...

As a designer/experimenter, I see an advantage with fixed gear on a plane with plug-in wings. That is, I can change to several different wing sets, right at the field, without having to worry over the linkages, or the expense of several sets of retracts.

Hey Alex.

Believe this is a very personal question. I too prefer the sleek look.

The only thing I have seen with Fixed gear is prop clearance can be an issue. I built an Oly for a friend and the gear was very bouncy and the nose very low to the ground. If you choose this route, just be aware of that.

Ed

Alex,
I agree that it is a personal choice, but fixed gear is a little more than simply "en vogue".

First of all, it's lighter weight. A good set of carbon gear and aluminum or titanium axles weigh about 1/3 as much as a set of supras plus linkages plus servo plus wing reinforcement around that critical area. That's fact.

Secondly, I believe that the retract wells interfere aerodynamically more than a well set up fixed gear, although I am not an aero-engineer and am not really sure, so that's my logicall thinking and opinion, maybe not fact. Proper aerodynamic doors would add additional weight.

Thirdly, the weight is closer to the center of the fuselage helping reduce the rolling inertia, making for a more controllable and defined finish of the snaproll. That's mathmatical fact, even if not easily noticed in the air.

Fourthly, it assists in orientation during certain views, like during cross box manuevers, and in certain weather condition when color acuity and distinction is difficult. That's opinion.

And lastly, I think they are prettier, and that's most definately opinion.

On my "secondly", let's consult the aerodynamics forum and see the thoughts of some real aerodynamic engineers.

Mark

SATO;

Retracts have attributes and then they have problems. Fixed gear alleviate another servo and the possibility of just one more thing that may go wrong.

Yes in the Old days the thing to have was retracts in our Phoenix V-VIII's but todays technology as others in this post have pointed out is available. I've attached a picture of Chads Evolis he was 30th in the world at Ireland. The Japanese which are some of the best F3A pilots I've ever seen in individual and in Team events all run fixed now as well. All of mine that were Retracts have all been converted to fixed, clearance to the ground hasn't been an issue as landings are suppose to be smooth.

Actually that is not my Evolis, but I am getting a pair of them, I only posted that pic to show what they looked like. Anyways, I do prefer fixed gear, it does provide more knife edge authority over fixed gear. That is truly the only difference that I could distinguish from flying fixed vs retracts. I like them more for the convience, I can taxi easily, they are simple to use, less likely to have problems (gear are always down !!!). The one major drawback is if you have to land in the rough due to an engine out or whatever you are in trouble, chances are you will cause significant damage to your plane. This is the reason I recommend retracts to newer guys that are not so convinved that they will hit the field 100% of the time.

I saw someone at the W/C who converted from retracts to fixed, and found out that the retracts were acctually lighter than the Fixed!