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Trailing Link Landing Gear

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GESchwarz

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
1,250
Location
Ventura County, California, USofA.
I've always liked the trailing link landing gear. It's found on the nose gear of the F-8, the main gear of the FA-18, and the tail wheel of the C-46, among others. The motocross dirt bike with the monostrut arrangement is another good example. It's been said that it's hard to make a bad landing on such a main gear.

I'm considering this style for all three positions of my tricycle gear. I'm planning on using an appropriately sized motorcycle shock absorber, which is a combination compression spring and piston damper. The trailing link would have multiple positions for adjusting travel and moment arm of the shock strut.

My big goal is to have the plane stick to the runway upon touchdown; zero bounce, even if I bring it down fast and hard, or in a crosswind.

Does all of this seem too heavy and complicated for a simple 2 seater?

Is there a simpler way to get the kind of “sticky” suspension I’m looking for?
 
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