A weight-on-wheels sensor would prevent the retraction until
airborne.
Yes, but hit a slight hump in the runway (while on rollout) can extend the
gear just that couple inches it takes to make the "weight on wheels" switch.
Then it's "AW ****" time again.

Many aircraft have a MLG designed to be slightly "over center" with some
weight on the gear. This design *helps* prevent gear retraction on deck. I
know- we've all read the safety messages detailing how somebody had a
"stupid attack" and raised the gear while on deck. And I think some of you
folks here are the ones we read about :-)

Sure looks cool to see the gear come up as soon as the aircraft lifts.
Especially the way the Air Force guys like to take off- Fast, and real low
for (it seems) the length of the runway. And they got some real LONG
runways. The Navy pilots make up for that as they have the SHORTEST runways
(you know- the ugly gray ones that keep us away from home for so long).

Kinda longwinded here. Too much coffee this afternoon.

Larry
AECS (AW/SW/MTS)
Disabled Combat Veteran
USN Retired

20 years of Navy in my rear view mirror
and getting further away every day ;-)





"C.D.Damron" wrote in message
news:lCTzb.231342$Dw6.816845@attbi_s02...
Jumping in with my dad's aw ****s.

1) Hard wheels up in an A-3 at Whidbey. Tower had visual and didn't
question the missing landing light. This was a touch-and-go and crew was
lucky to walk away without broken backs. I posted the pic on the
Skywarrior website.


2) A-3 Cockpit flooded with av fuel in flight - hundreds of gallons.
Crew
was almost overwhelmed and blinded by fumes. afraid to bail out due to the
chutes being soaked with fuel, afraid to key a mic and go down in flames.


Somebody jump in with some details on a stunt that caused a few aw ****s.
I recall my father describing that in order to really have a **** hot
take-off, it was possible in an F-8 or F-4 to select gear up on the
take-off
roll. A weight-on-wheels sensor would prevent the retraction until
airborne. One or more planes were turned into sleds when a change in
grade
took the weight off the wheels prior to rotation.

Any details on this?