Quick question about "gear mirrors" on a 185 on Aerocet amphibs. I have all the gear advisory stuff inside the plane. For an outside visual Aerocet has slots on the top of the floats which tell you up or down(for the main gear), however, the rope seems to always lay right on top of the slot making it impossible to see.

Maybe its overkill but I really like seeing the where that gear is at...especially on water and with my little kids on board!

What experiences have people had with the mirrors? I read somewhere..(maybe on this site) that if properly mounted you can get by with just one.

Who makes/sells them and what is the best one to get? Any tips on best way to mount them?

Thank you...

Ryan

I use my mirrors. Usually I wait for the indicator lights to come on while slowly counting to 12 (that's what mine take to get down a little slower up), then look outside at the "tabs" indicating up or down and make sure they are where they should be and the last check while I'm looking outside is with the mirrors to make sure neither of the other two indicators have lied. I can see the right gear from the left mirror and vise - versa. So it may be possible to get away with one but at times I know that when there is a "real" concern you tend to use both and check each side using both. Mine were on when I purchased so can't help on where to get them. If I am by myself, I cannot see the ouside tab indicator on the right side so my mirror then is my back up and visual check along with the indicator lights. The amphibs are great and provide lots of options on fuel and places to land but it is something that basically bothers me from the time I take off until I land again as to "where" I'm landing next and what gear confiruration. If it isn't on your mind all the time, I think it should be. I've always been on straight wheels until 3 years ago so I am still very new at it. Maybe it does become more natural but for now I seem more confident in worrying about it all the time.

Ryan,

I don't think anyone manufactures mirrors specifically for amphibians.

What I've always seen used is a convex mirror from NAPA auto parts (~5 to 6 inch diameter) attached to a folded piece of aluminum stock, cut to fit the mirror, and bent at a 90 degree angle to attach to the wing. What we always did was attached to an inspection cover, so we could always remove easily if need be.

You can get away with only one mirror, IF you still want to rely on the gear indicators on the left float. The rub with the mechanical gear indicators is that you can't see the right hand side easily.

If you only install one, put it on the right side, and experiment with placement to provide the best view of front and rear gear. If you put it outboard far enough, and your vision is really good, you might be able to see the left gear with it as well.

My preference would be to mount two mirrors, one on each wing.

You may want to take a spray can of bright dayglow orange or green paint, and paint the side of your tire/wheel that faces the mirror. Ugly, but they are REALLY easy to see then.

I like mirrors, and as Sheephunter says, if you're not at least a little paranoid about amphibious gear, you should be. Get all the help you can to verify gear position.

Where the mirrors really help is if you were to get a gear in transit condition (which I've done a couple times). Question is: Do I land on land or water. Generally, gear in transit suggests land only. Mirrors may be able to confirm position of gear. If its even sticking out a little, land on a runway.

MTV

MTV, Great idea of the paint on the wheels. It is definitely hard, at least with my eyesight which is actually pretty good to see all you really want through those little mirrors way out there. Also about mounting them on the inspection plates. Mine were on when I got it but are "fixed". And finally, the land on land if anything is exposed. All great ideas / thoughts. And the word paranoid, is very appropriate, at least for me and I guess if it comes a time it isn't, then I think I'll get rid of the amphibs.

Ryan,
I have a part number for you on the gear mirrors you asked about W210106-2 I have a 180 and they were on the plane when I got it. I can't fine the number in any of the Cessna books I have. My floats are EDO's so you might try calling them. There at Kenmore Air in Kenmore WA. 1-800-423-5526. My plane has been in Minnesota all it's life so you could try Wipair Inc. Phone is 651-451-1205 There at Fleming Field in So. St. Paul MN. Mine are on the inspection plate where the flap and aileron come together. They are also drilled about one half inch off the original holes so they are facing foreword so now they are Left and Right's. For floats it dosen't change anything but I have wheel skis and it lets you see if the ski is up or down a little better. Since they are manual you don't get to move them once your in the air. The mirrors are all you have to remind you where they are. The idea of painting the wheel a bright contrasting color is a great idea and is on the top of my to do list. Good luck finding the mirrows. Peck

This may sound stupid, but there are "back up" cameras now that are cheap, and real tiny, could mount the camera to where it could see the wheels real easy. Of course it would have to be temporarily mounted

When I had my C-210 I bought a mirror that replaced an inspection access hole cover. Don't know if the access holes are the same size on a Skywagon as a 210 but if they are it is a very simple and clean solution. Cessna Pilots Assoc. should have the info. Good luck. FW

All the Cessna inspection covers are similar if not identical. Its easy to make these things. Buy some convex mirrors at WalMart, bend up some 032 aluminum to mount the mirror, and attach to the inspection cover, screw and/or rivet it together, and voila>>>

MTV