I'm building a 45 lb aircraft (dimensions are approximately 6.5' long with a 9' wingspan) and have run into a bit of an issue with my main gear. As of now all I can find are robart struts that can handle this type of load. Anyone know of anything else out there? the robarts are alright but i want all the options I can find. I'm looking specifically for fixed..no retracts and mains olny..I'm using 6in skylite wheels...unless there's something better out there

I'm building a 45 lb aircraft (dimensions are approximately 6.5' long with a 9' wingspan) and have run into a bit of an issue with my main gear. As of now all I can find are robart struts that can handle this type of load. Anyone know of anything else out there? the robarts are alright but i want all the options I can find. I'm looking specifically for fixed..no retracts and mains olny..I'm using 6in skylite wheels...unless there's something better out there

Um before you finish, i hope you have checked the FAA/AMA rules on that because I beleive there is a 35 or 40 pound maximum weight for RC aircraft in the USA. I may be mistaken but i do not think so. and that is very heavy for the size plane you speak of which is actually rather small for how much you say its gonna weigh. You also have to give more info on the aircraft to rec. some gear for it. What is it? warbird? doesnt sound like it with a fuse thats 2/3 the wing size. I had a cub with 10' wing span and at least a 6.5' fuse and the plane was only 11.5lbs dry and 13lbs wet. so thats why i question what your building, how you built it and wonder what engine to see if it will even get off the ground. Not picking on you, just curious and want to help and dont want to see all your hard work go unusable. I have 22+ years as a RC pilot so I should be able ot be of some help to you.

not a problem, here are some more specifics: the a/c is being built for a senior design project. The reason for the unusually high weight is the 20 lb payload we're flying in it. We were given a weight requirement of under 45 lbs so as to comply with ama (i never double checked this but i think it's ok) Or a/c dry is actually about 15-20 lbs and I gave the weight of 45 so i can find gear that i know will work. The constructioin is 95% composite in order to gain the right strength to weight ratio to accomadate the larger payload. The engine is an OS 1.40 rx FI and we're getting about 12 lbs of thrust (so our thrust to weight is .3 which is low but acceptable for the transport mission) btw the project is a senior design project for a couple of aerospace engineeers at an engineering school in case you were interested. Thanks for you help

not a problem, here are some more specifics: the a/c is being built for a senior design project. The reason for the unusually high weight is the 20 lb payload we're flying in it. We were given a weight requirement of under 45 lbs so as to comply with ama (i never double checked this but i think it's ok) Or a/c dry is actually about 15-20 lbs and I gave the weight of 45 so i can find gear that i know will work. The constructioin is 95% composite in order to gain the right strength to weight ratio to accomadate the larger payload. The engine is an OS 1.40 rx FI and we're getting about 12 lbs of thrust (so our thrust to weight is .3 which is low but acceptable for the transport mission) btw the project is a senior design project for a couple of aerospace engineeers at an engineering school in case you were interested. Thanks for you help i dea is cool, but still way heavy. thats an expensive engine! you could have bought a gasoline engine that would produce more horsepower than the 1.4 for less money. but it sounds like price is not that much of an issue. so is this a complete prototype? what size is the Surface area of the wing? what size prop are you spinning? is it a shoulder, high, mid or low wing aircraft? the gear isnt that important if you can fly. most of the 1 piece aluminun landing gear out there for 1/4 scale planes should hold it, you will just have to touch down softly regardless. aircraft of that weight are tough on gear regardless of what you use, but to me aluminum will be your most forgiving, Composite will snap ene though its lighter. yo umay even try music wire bent to custom fit your plane its very rigid and allows some "suspension" to the plane. If it supports it on the ground it will support it in landing, because the weight upon landing is distributed across the wing untill it settles onto the gear.

the ama says 55 pounds and under is ok! I have a buddy who has a 42% and does not even weigh 43 pounds... I would go with the aluminum gear!! Carbon is light and will snap!!! i would have went with some thing like a da50!!

just my 02

Brandon

how is the project coming?

Brandon S