When I built the plane I added custom Hydraulic Struts, only problem was that I was too early in the engineering curve...the fabricator should have used heavier duty die springs rated for 1750 lbs, my grossw eight is 1700 lbs and I think the springs probably should have been rated at 2000 lb +. They were 8" springs that compressed a total of 2". Just sitting on the gound w/o fuel, pilot or passengers the springs compressed 1". When landing, unless absolutely greasing it (not often) the springs would bottom out and the bolts at the attachment point under the cabin would bend. Here's what it looked like:
http://webhosting.web.com/imagelib/site ... rget=_self

A few months ago I saw a post from Emmet Welch (emflys) on Supercub.org and he had a pic of his plane and landing gear and the light bulb went on in my head and I thought that type of gear would be perfect for my plane. A quick email to Emmet and I found out his gear was made by landing gear builder John Roberts of Middleton, Idaho. I sent John an email (avweld at hotmail dot com) and he agreed to build me new suspension. He reviewed pictures of my existing set-up. Had me take a few measurements, then built the Upper Cabane V and shipped it to me. I drilled and mounted it...took some additional measurements based on its placement and then shipped the whole thing back to him. He then fabricated the complete set-up and sent it back to me. It fit perfectly. The suspension component is a series of 6' long bungees with loops on each end. I ended up using 3 on each side for a total of 6.

Today I tested it for the first time and did 7 landings. A couple I really dumped in and the new suspension performed very well. Even the couple I bounced, the bounces were benign and I always felt in control. John is a real master welder, the gear is a work of art. On top of that, he's great guy and was very, very helpful through the process. The tires are 26" Goodyears (bought on this site from Emmet!!) and the airport is KGHG, Marshfield, MA. Here's the video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhiS7nl3qV4&feature=youtu.be

The gear feels tight but I like it that way. You can tighten or lossen the suspension by lowering or tightening the loops to the next hook on the struts...no special tools required so it easily serviceable in the field.

All comments welcome...my only real question is do you think it appears too tight, after looking at the video I was surprised that there seemed to be very little give in the bungees. Inside the cabin I didn't feel like I was getting much of a bang at all and all the landings felt very comfortable. Thanks

Very cool, Don!

The gear does look a bit tight, it was difficult to see really any give... The tires were absorbing almost everything. My advice would be to try several different iterations and decide for yourself what you like.

I like a bit softer myself so I can bank the aircraft into crosswinds while still on the ground.

Cory, good point. I still have a lot to learn. Thanks

It does seem tight but the bungees will breakin quite a bit. The cubs I fly are always tight at the start of the year and loose by the end.

Hey Bushcaddy- I'm interested in your "custom hydraulic struts" using die springs. I've been planning on building a die spring-based custom landing gear strut for our Pietenpol Aircamper, only without the hydraulic damper. Is this something you designed yourself, or would be willing to share plans for?

I like the idea of something that won't require the attention and maintenance of a bungee system.

Thanks!

-Bill

Not really much to bungee gear maintenance wise, once set up you're done for a few years. Like BushCaddy I like the ability to play with the spring rate vis a vis (?) different bungee wraps. It can be done by one person but does require you to eat your Wheaties that day and most importantly you must shut the cell phone off, I kept getting calls right at the crucial moment!

BC: Anytime you change anything bungee wise give it several good hard landings to break in, John told me that after a few good hard whacks all the bungees will be equallably distributed better, all pulling at the same rate or something like that. Since I put the 29" Airstreaks back on, after taking the 6:00 tires I use on skis off, it has radically altered the aircraft height, so I have bounced a few of my first landings. With this gear, and I don't blame the gear for the bounce, just my height being off, a bounce is fun! Get your moneys worth out of those Goodyears but be looking for some Bushwheels down the road if possible, they, along with the Roberts gear, are a great setup!

Is this something you designed yourself, or would be willing to share plans for?

Bill: I did not design them but am happy to share, had the springs been properly rated for my gross weight, it's a good system. I will send you an email, I have many pics of the components and how it all works.

...be looking for some Bushwheels down the road if possible, they, along with the Roberts gear, are a great setup!

Courierguy: The Bushwheels are next on my wishlist...will have to wait until late fall or next spring as I am building a house right now. I'm very interested in the Airstreaks since they are lighter...I am making the assumption they are lighter due to less rubber used in manufacturing, therefore less plys??

I think they are, pretty sure anyway. More importantly they are squishier, and that is the best word to use, a lot of give that really soak up the bumps and make it easier on everthing else, like the gear and the airframe. And of course no fears of spinning a tube!

Cool Don! Glad it worked out. John Roberts is a great guy and a master craftsmen for sure.

The 26" goodyears are about in be 23lbs each, so kind of in between that 26" Airstreak (19lbs) and the 29 Airstreak (27lbs). Although by the time you put tubes in the goodyears, its close to the 29s. But the feel will be totally different.

The 26 airstreaks are actually a bit bigger than the goodyears in diameter and good for probably 95% of what you will want to land. IF you don't plan on landing places with good size rocks (like larger than 5") the 26" are the way to go IMHO. Lighter and less drag.

If you really plan on getting into the rough or really just want to improve AOA and prop clearance, the 29"s are pretty awesome. But they do bring the weight and slow you down a BIT more. Not a lot.

I'd fly for a while before making adjustments Don as others have said. Get a feel for the new gear as is, make some harder landings, then decide it its right or not. I was planning on changing mine a bit, but after flying it some, ended up deciding they were just right.

Emmet, I am w/you 100% on those 26" Airstreaks and they are on the list.

I was able to put the 26" Goodyears together tubeless by using this kit from Matco:
http://www.matcomfg.com/TUBELESSKIT-idv-3211-45.html

and liberal amounts of No Tubes:http://www.notubes.com/Stans-Tire-Sealant-Quart-P51C14.aspx

The cool thing is I'll actually be dumping 8lbs by going to the Airstreaks. The new gear is also lighter than my Hydraulic Struts so all around this is a big win.

I appreciate you hooking me up w/John Roberts, great decision overall.

Thanks...

Yeah, I did the same thing with the goodyears. It was great because I could run them at 4lbs and if they slipped a bit on the rim - no shearing the valve stem!!