****PMA APPROVED HD GEAR!!!***

[Hottshot]

Yes, but If you wish you can cover with Fabric.

[TomD]

Is there any reason not to fabricate an aluminum fairing?

I would think fabric would be inviting a toe to puncture the fairing.

TD

[Hottshot]

It can be done but it will add weight, the main reason for open gear is for inspection... if you can't see it is bent you won't know 'till it's too late.

[maules.com]

That will be one hard and nasty landing to bend that ABW gear.

[xwildcat]

I believe other things will bend before that HD gear will bend.

[Sam Rutherford]

That's the first thing I thought! If you are landing in such a way to damage (even over time) the legs, what happens if they no longer absorb those impacts but pass them on to the body?

I'd prefer to replace bent gear than bent fuselage - or that's not considered to be a risk?

I should explain that my experience is with Land Rovers - each time you put in an HD component it's the original next up the line that breaks. This gets expensive when the last standard thing in the line is the gearbox or chassis! Been there, done that.

But they look really good - and leave them uncovered for the looks!

Sam.

[TomD]

Any idea what the speed/fuel penalty will be for the uncovered vs. covered legs?

At avgas going quickly to $5.00 ( or more )/ gal. this gets to be part of the cost calculations pretty quickly.

The Maule is a "clean" bird to start with, so maybe one more source of drag is not that big a deal?

[TomD]

Oops, that should have read The Maule is NOT that "clean" a bird..."

[a64pilot]

I don't know, but I bet if your flying around with bushwheels, the increased drag from un-faired gear isn't measurable. I've flown with the strut fairings off for example and noticed no decrease in speed. Some things, I believe are more for looks than function.

[Hottshot]

That's the first thing I thought! If you are landing in such a way to damage (even over time) the legs, what happens if they no longer absorb those impacts but pass them on to the body?

I'd prefer to replace bent gear than bent fuselage - or that's not considered to be a risk?

I should explain that my experience is with Land Rovers - each time you put in an HD component it's the original next up the line that breaks. This gets expensive when the last standard thing in the line is the gearbox or chassis! Been there, done that.

But they look really good - and leave them uncovered for the looks!

Sam.

Sam--

Your thinking is correct in that you will spred the load else where but in this case it is being spred to a stronger cluster in the airframe and that cluster is less costly to replace than a prop strike and engine tear down that will most likely happen when your gear fails. As for speed loss the faster you go the more likely you are to see a difference but if you are not running at WOT it will be tough to see.

[maules.com]

WUP, Wot is WOT, new to me.

[Hottshot]

WUP, Wot is WOT, new to me.

Sorry it is Power Sports lingo for Wide Open Throttle......

[belandd]

I like it, especially the step.

Be a while before I can afford it but I can see it happening.

Are the attach fitting on the fuselage evey a problem? they strong enough?

Any change to the oleo required?

[a64pilot]

I still want safety cables, and no I won't go away until I get some
My Oleo strut broke without any visable damage to either the airframe of gear. Cables would have saved my wing tip and prop strike. The landing gear bolts were badly bent though, I don't know if they were NAS or not. Pretty sure the previous owner bent the bolts.
I just put on the ABW1010 wheels and 29" Airhawks. Gut feeling is that there is so much cushion in the big tires at 12 PSI that will save the gear and fuselage from a lot of shock on rougher fields. I didn't expect the Airhawks to be so "cushy"

[Hottshot]

The Cables are still on the board but not ready yet, I promise when they are you will be the first to know!!