Re: Bungee vs Grove
Bungee type gear are not inherently bad. We've been using that design for decades and with proper upkeep they still serve many designs well.
The problem with the early Kitfox bungee gear was in the geometry of the finished product. Most came from the factory with a toe in and camber out condition. This makes it difficult to control anytime the weight would shift during take offs and landings. My model 3 used to dart left or right even in a no wind condition. Add a cross wind and all bets were off as to which set of runway marker lights were in immediate peril.
Granted I was flying off mostly blacktop strips and grass/dirt would be more forgiving of the screwy geometry.
After 300 hours and landings and take offs numbering 1000 plus, I switched to the Grove aluminum style gear and never looked back.
The weight penalty was well worth the piece of mind that you were going to make it back to the hangar with most of the important parts still attached to the aircraft.
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Originally Posted by Av8r3400
