I (like a few other IV fliers) found the cable retract mechanism to be unsuitable. I have elected to remove my step prior to painting. I noticed a couple of aircraft at the Lancair flyin that had their cables disconnected. My main reservation with the cable/ step system is (1) the cable tube has a tendancy to rub on the flap push rod and (2) when (not if) the cable breaks it may wrap up and around the landing gear actuator rack and pinion and potentially jam a landing gear in an undesired position. (3) It is a real bitch to replace the cable when it breaks--  Just my two cents. The fixed step that Lancair offers on the ES is a nice replacement.

 

Jeff Edwards

LIVP N619SJ