Year long discussion of "Another nosegear failure" -09/19/2010

[rightrudder]

A good scan of the surface while taxiing is probably the best defense?use the trike gear's forward visibility to your advantage. Treat a suspicious pavement seam as you would a big speed bump in a lowered car. And keep the 5-points cinched snugly, just in case you miss something.

 

[RetiredRacer]

What Captain Avgas said....

..... would be the first line of defense!!! Keep the weight off the front wheel as much as possible and that includes Dmadd's suggestion to raise the flaps.

Our 9a has rarely seen sealed runways. Some backyard strips we land on are so rough if you don't have your belts tight, you are going to hit you head on the canopy!! But the front wheel is off the ground for as long as the elevators can hold it off (take off and landing). And then keep the stick hard back at all times to reduce weight on the front wheel while taxing (except taxing with strong wind from bedind ).

We have the "nose job" fitted, the "Berringer" (spelling??) front wheel and axle mod and the wheel pant raised as much as possible. I believe it is important to have no friction and the spinning mass as low as possible so the front wheel can "spin-up" with least drag as possible and this helps reduce deflection on the front leg as it touches down. I would NEVER fly without the front wheel pant on!!!

Hope this helps.