Message-ID: <19990121041839.16573.qmail@www01.netaddress.usa.net>
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 04:18:38
From: Dan Schaefer <dfschaefer@usa.net>
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Subject: O/C springs
Mime-Version: 1.0

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In response to Frontis Newell's question about "those damn springs".
(My emphasis)
The only rat-trap springs around here (Los Angeles, South Bay -Torrance
 area) showed up broken after only a few hours in service. Could've
been very nasty except it was discovered on the ground). They look
real neat but - one failure, one badly messed up Lancair.

How "good" something looks is very much outweighed by how well it
provides the intended function. In getting your gear down and locked
with absolute assurance,
EVERY TIME, looks must take second place to reliablity.
I've heard that Lancair has "fixed" the spring failure problem.
While I think a lot of the factory guys, they really do a pretty good job,
I'm not ready to abrogate my responsibility for the safety and integrity
of my airplane. I'll keep the double screen-door springs, thank you.  
 Might even add the rat-traps as a back-up but not - repeat, not
  as stand alone down-locks.
But as I always say, you pays your money and you takes your choice.
Reliability or looks. Seems simple to me.

Dan Schaefer
N235SP


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