Rudder usage while retracting gear

Should you avoid using rudders while the gear is in transit?

  • Avoid using

    Votes: 1 6.3%

  • It doesn't matter

    Votes: 15 93.8%
  • Total voters
    16
Pi1otguy

Pi1otguy

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When I got my complex endorsement my CFI taught me to not use the rudder while the gear is in transit. Is this standard advice or specific to certain makes and models?

Supposedly that causes extra wear as the nose gear steering connects/disconnects.
 
Nose wheel steering is typically disconnected when the strut is fully extended, that's the mechanism that allows it to remain centered while flying with it extended. Moving your rudder shouldn't affect your nose wheel in transit, nor in the well.
 
Your CFI needs to spend some time in the shop and watch the gear while it retracts. As soon as the nose gear rotates it disengages from the steering linkage and it rides on a centering cam to straighten the nose wheel.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
Your CFI needs to spend some time in the shop and watch the gear while it retracts. As soon as the nose gear rotates it disengages from the steering linkage and it rides on a centering cam to straighten the nose wheel.
Click to expand...
True for the vast majority, and I think good enough for this conversation, but not true of every aircraft.
 
Salty said:
True for the vast majority, and I think good enough for this conversation, but not true of every aircraft.
Click to expand...
I'm curious which ones are different.....please explain. I don't know of a retract that doesn't center the wheel.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
I'm curious which ones are different.....please explain. I don't know of a retract that doesn't center the wheel.
Click to expand...
They probably all do center the wheel, which is why it's "good enough for this conversation", but not all do it with a cam.
 
I agree. Certainly not an issue in my plane nor in any other that I've flown. As stated the nose gear decouples from the steering when the strut extends.

It would be a stupid design otherwise. You're going to fly uncoordinated at a time where you need maximum performance in order to get the gear in the well?
 
The PA46 also is known for a weak nose gear that was subject of an NTSB investigation.
 
Pi1otguy said:
When I got my complex endorsement my CFI taught me to not use the rudder while the gear is in transit. Is this standard advice or specific to certain makes and models?

Supposedly that causes extra wear as the nose gear steering connects/disconnects.
Click to expand...
You should go ask for your money back.
 
I never once thought of this, but I can't imagine it being good to go neutral on the rudder while climbing out for the good 5-7 seconds it takes for my gear to retract. Even in my lightly powered Arrow it takes a good amount of rudder to keep it straight.
 
Yeah, I never extend flaps in flight either since it causes extra wear on the flap motor. If I know I'll need them for a short field landing, I extend them before takeoff.
 
Pi1otguy said:
When I got my complex endorsement my CFI taught me to not use the rudder while the gear is in transit. Is this standard advice or specific to certain makes and models?

Supposedly that causes extra wear as the nose gear steering connects/disconnects.
Click to expand...
If anything his advice may cause you to damage the main gear doors on some retractable gear aircraft. On some planes flying uncoordinated can result in an aerodynamic load on the main gear doors, when open, that can damage them.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
As soon as the nose gear rotates it disengages from the steering linkage and it rides on a centering cam to straighten the nose wheel.
Click to expand...
Ok. That make sense. It'd be weird to punish the owner with extra maintenance because they like coordinated flight.
 
Pi1otguy said:
Ok. That make sense. It'd be weird to punish the owner with extra maintenance because they like coordinated flight.
Click to expand...
I could be wrong....but as soon as the strut extends the steering is disengaged and the wheel centers. But, this can be different on other models as pointed out by others. ;)
 
dmspilot said:
Yeah, I never extend flaps in flight either since it causes extra wear on the flap motor. If I know I'll need them for a short field landing, I extend them before takeoff.
Click to expand...
Oh it’s not just the flap motor, the bearings in manual flap system aircraft suffer too. That’s why they should never ever be retracted. LOL.
 
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