Simviation Forums

Well I have finally joined the ranks of those pilots who hide their landing gear.  I am now checked out on the local Comanche, PA-24-180.  Have to say, a very nice flying airplane, even on a hot bumpy day.  I hope to be getting more time in it soon!

Congrats! Let us know if you ever manage to land it smoothly... I've heard they're not as forgiving as the other low-wing Piper singles. 

Welcome to the retractable club!

Now.. never takeoff ina retract Cessna, without checking the gear-pump reservoir (in the baggage compartment)..

 

[quote]Congrats! Let us know if you ever manage to land it smoothly... I've heard they're not as forgiving as the other low-wing Piper singles.

...time I set up for landing and did the GUMPS check...

The school I did all my flying at, a student (years before I ever got there) did a gear up landing in a Seminole because he did the GUMP check, which wasn't taught or used by the school. Also, apparently a Seminole can slide pretty far.

...time I set up for landing and did the GUMPS check...

The school I did all my flying at, a student (years before I ever got there) did a gear up landing in a Seminole because he did the GUMP check, which wasn't taught or used by the school. Also, apparently a Seminole can slide pretty far.

I'm curious, if he did a GUMPS check, how did he end up with the gear up.  That is the point of the mnemonic, to remember those things.

Gas on a good tank
Undercarriage down and locked
Mixture full rich
Prop full rpm
Slats/flaps

I was taught always do it three times before short final, and verify gear down three times before short final.  Usually first one is just entering the pattern as you slow down and dirty up, second is abeam the touchdown point, and last is just turning final.

I think what caught him up was the undercarriage part. Then again, I'll never know what was going through the guy's head. I do know that the instructor who was in the plane with him was not paying attention, and as a result, is no longer a flight instructor, however he does still teach aerodynamics and air law. What I have heard though, is that a seminole going 85 kts with the gear up will slide pretty far on the ground, haha.

I think what caught him up was the undercarriage part. Then again, I'll never know what was going through the guy's head. I do know that the instructor who was in the plane with him was not paying attention, and as a result, is no longer a flight instructor, however he does still teach aerodynamics and air law. What I have heard though, is that a seminole going 85 kts with the gear up will slide pretty far on the ground, haha.

This gives me an idea for a new training aircraft.  Build the belly of the airplane to be a big replacable skid that would take the brunt of a gear up landing, as many gear up landings result in further damage to bulkheads and total the plane.  The prop and engine would have to be mounted high enough to avoid a prop strike. 

Put a couple of lifting eyes to make recovery easy, just pick it up, drop the gear, and fly it again.

The funny thing is, is that the school didn't write off the aircraft. Instead they fixed it all up. They only had two multi-engined aircraft, so I've definitely flown in it since it's accident, haha.

The funny thing is, is that the school didn't write off the aircraft. Instead they fixed it all up. They only had two multi-engined aircraft, so I've definitely flown in it since it's accident, haha.

The 172RGs where I went to college seemed to wind up on their belly at least once a year.  It was a never ending process to fix them.

Congratulations Davy.

A few years before I retired, I got a call to go to the airport because an aircraft could not get the gear down. Turned out it was only the right main.

After trying for a while, he finally brought it in and did a picture perfect landing. I was a bit surprised that it slid straight down the runway and did not

turn due to the increased drag on the right side. The aircraft did not look all that bad either. But for the life of me, I can't remember what it was.