Budget Retracts - Anyone own a Sierra or Comanche 180?

Jay Honeck wrote:
The lancair legacy, with the 310hp and retract will supposedly do 276mph
at 8000'
The fixed-gear legacy, with 200hp will supposedly do 210 mph at 8000'

so, maybe the SR-22 would gain 30mph or so with a retractable...


That's pretty significant. I suppose liability concerns are preventing them
from considering folding gear?

I'd think the concerns about their customers affording insurance would
be greater than any concerns about manufacturers liability.


Matt

With the old fixed gear setup 30mph for gear might be about it. With
the newer more streamline gear, it is less. Retractable gear is an
anethema. It needs to be tested, annualed and repaired and the pilot
needs to remember to deploy it. It's unavoidable on some planes, but if
you can get by without it, do so. Your life will be a lot easier. The
faster you go, the more retract will gain you, that is true. On a slow
airplane it's not much.