This procedure has been around for quite a while but I thought it worth repeating.
A good way to monitor the loss of strength of gear gas struts over time is:
Reduce airspeed to slightly below gear down speed, pull the breaker for the gear pump, put the gear switch down and open the dump valve.
Slowly reduce airspeed and record when each gear locks down. (Then you know emergency gear extension works.)
This will provide a written record of lowering airspeeds for extension as the gas struts lose strength.
And… don’t forget to close the dump valve, put the gear switch down, close the gear pump breaker and confirm 3 green before landing.
Side note: If you select gear down someday and it doesn’t and cycling the gear switch and breakers does not help either. Reduce airspeed to the lowest speed you are comfortable with (not too low, when the gear comes down drag will slow you down) before you open the dump valve. The momentum of the gear and lower air pressure will make it easier for the gas strut to push the nose gear down.
Steve Colwell Legacy
Good to know. Appreciate the info. I recommend change each annual.
On Sun, Jun 23, 2013 at 4:41 AM, Ed Gray <egraylaw@swbell.net> wrote:
Paul and Bill, McM-Carr does have the threaded rod ends to adapt the gas strut, takes some looking. The 6mm female thread eyelet ends are part No. 6465K61. They have a .39 eyelet bore (3/8”), and they each add .83” to the length of the strut. But the strut (part No. 9416K15 or 9416K336) has 10.71” extended length not counting the male 6mm thread on each end. So if the strut is entirely threaded into the eyelet on each end, the total center-to-center length is 12.37, just enough, depending on where the upper mount is located. The eyelet is priced at $2.61ea. so the total change is $18.26 (strut is $13.04). Of course the ends can be reused, and by unscrewing the strut from the upper eyelet at change time, you avoid the knuckle busting chore of removing the upper bolt, and change out as often as you wish for $ 13.04. Might be advisable to use a thin lock nut on the bottom end to prevent strut turning.