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Jims RV-8
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Date: 3-27-2015
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Number of Hours: 0.00
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Manual Reference: mod
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Brief Description: Why the one piece Grove gear modification?
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As I was writing up the the previous days log about cutting into the intercoastal ribs, I thought that if I were reading a log, I probably would NOT fly with a builder who would just start cutting up parts on a proven airplane design. So, for my family and friends, here is my rational to help you see the additional safety and benefits of the Grove 1 piece gear, and to help you know I haven't lost my mind. To anyone else who might be pondering changing this, or any other part of the design - do not use my rational, do your own research and make up your own mind to build your airplane you want, based on your decisions.
The first thing I want to say is THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH VAN'S LANDING GEAR as evidenced by the fact that there are over 1,000 RV-8/8A's flying with the standard two piece gear. I am choosing to go another route, for reasons that work for me, because I feel like it is the best solution for me. As they say, "Your mileage may vary".
The first (easiest to explain) benefit... the one piece gear is a 10 pound weight saving over the standard Van's gear. The Van's 2 piece steel gear weighs 41 lbs. while the Grove 1 piece aluminum gear weighs 31 lbs. Weight savings is important, enough said about that... that is also why I am trimming the pilot weight too!
From an Aeronautical Engineer/RV-8 builder/pilot who looked at cutting down the intercoastal ribs to do the gear mod :
"In monocoque structures, ribs are used to maintain cross sectional shape, transfer localized loads into the main structural elements (spars or longerons) and prevent skin buckling (which is kind of the same thing as maintaining cross section. The trimmed down rib, is still providing a bit of skin stiffening which should be enough for all but some peak bending load like a hard landing. In that case, the longerons pick up the loads so it’s OK if the skin flexes a bit."
(continued on next log)
Below Images courtesy of Dan Horton!
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standard method - two piece steel gear
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one piece gear
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