Don’t waste the useful load carrying a spare.  They are very reliable (probably more so than just about any other part of my plane!).  It would be such a time consuming effort to swap and align that you’d be better off using fedex and enjoying the afternoon wherever you are stuck.  You don’t want to swap without doing multiple gear retract / extension tests, and that takes awhile and requires stands, etc.

 

My experience is comparable to Scott K (landings, and miles, and probably a few with hard bounces!).

M

 

 

Tim’s note answers my questions. Private comments I’ve seen backs up Tim’s assertion the product is supported to a degree that warrants praise. Doing the math says 5%- 7.5% of the shocks fail for various reasons mostly due to hard landings. We don’t have data that indicates the number of landings experienced for these failures however. That information could help evaluate other statistical conclusions. However, Scott K testifies 699 landings and miles of taxiing on less than ideal surfaces without problems … real evidence of a good product.

 

Tim’s straight forward answer and user testimony is enough for me.

I’ll use Tim’s debongers … and maybe carry a donut set too.

Thank you Tim.

Jim Nordin

 

 

Hi Guys,

 

Sorry I’ve been real busy, but I’ve had a chance to look over the posts to the LML about the TK5 shocks.

 

Indeed, if the shock has completely failed, it would not be advisable to fly except with the gear down.  You will not hurt the shock deflated, but there is the good possibility that the gear will not retract properly.

 

To date there has been over 400 sets sold to Lancair 235, 320, 360 aircraft owners (I’m trying to round up the exact number).  This is probably over half the entire flying fleet.  Of the failures (approximately 20-30) most were due to hard landings (this is an understatement) at which the aircraft should have been grounded anyway for a thorough inspection.

 

There also have been a couple initial failures to installation errors on my part of seals and are defective components (mostly schraders).  These type failures typically fail immediately upon installation.  Interestingly enough I dyno test each shock, but for some reason the test does not pick up these failures (still scratching my head on this one).

 

I have a one year warranty that covers any manufacturing defects whatsoever.  I have actually warranted shocks that are much older do to the fact they had just begun their flight testing.

 

In the past, if the aircraft has been AOG and not at its home airport, I have FEDEX’d overnight a replacement shock to get the aircraft home and sorted it out later.

 

I have and always will stand behind my products that I design.  The TK5 shock has definitely been proven in the market.  At only 1.15 lbs, it is definitely the lightest alternative to the donuts.

 

As far as Chris Z’s comment that basically only good things are said on the LML about the TK5 shocks because I work for Lancair and that would be burning a big bridge…..obviously Chris doesn’t know me very well at all.

 

If I’ve missed answering any of the pertinent questions, please let me know and, I’ll try again.

 

Regards,

 

Timothy Ong