Hey All, I have been pondering the possibility of tri-gear retracts on a KR1. (This is experimental aviation after all!). First, before I search the archives, has this been done? If not, I'm assuming that since fixed tri-gear KR's exist (which is probably what I'll end up doing!), the rear spar is strong enough to attach main gear to. I am thinking that the gear can simply retract forward, reverse of what the original KR had. I *think* the main gear is not going to be a problem at all. That leaves the nose wheel. I have a couple ideas. One is to establish a straight pipe which goes up and back at an angle through the strong firewall, with the castering nosewheel leg sliding into and out of that. Not sure how to actuate that without too much weight, a big screw actuator? Pneumatic? Since that pipe will be coming up through between the rudder pedals, perhaps some kind of a slot and a lever? The wheel could be pulled straight back up into a well beneath the back part of the cowling. It wouldnt have to go all the way in, 1/3 of the tire could still be showing. The other method would be a swing back, or swing forward arrangement. This is a light plane and the nose carries the least weight. Although it will slam down a bit on landing. Any info or ideas appreciated.
-C
