On Thursday, June 11, 1998 at 12:00:00 AM UTC-7, DBrotto wrote:
> I suffered a gear collapse in my LS-1f on a slightly bumpy landing a few years
> back. No damage except some minor scrapes on the belly since I landed in grass.
> Chip Bearden helped me pull the gas strut out and test it (thanks Chip!) It
> seemed within spec; 90 lbs to compress. So we reinstalled it and I chalked the
> failure up to maybe dirt preventing an overcenter or maybe a funny harmonic in
> a landing bounce.
> A few months later the gear again collapsed during landing while a friend was
> landing the ship. This time the damage was more extensive requiring a trip to
> Paul Weiden at Keystone G-port. The failed gas strut was now down to about 50
> lbs to compress. Paul installed a new strut, cleaned up the glass damage, and I
> was back in buisness. Since then I have had no problem w/ gear collapse.
> I did follow-up with some research on strut failures for other LS ships. It
> seems that the gas strut starts to fail after about 6 to 8 years of use. My
> thoughts are to just replace the strut with a new one every 3 years. They are
> inexpensive enough and available (thanks Mike Adams!) This fall will be 3 years
> from the last replacement so Paul, I'll be calling you to get on your schedule!
> BTW, the strut is stowed and spends the vast majority of its life in the worst
> possible position; upside down (no oil on the seal) and compressed.
> Danny Brotto

Can you put me in touch with Mike Adams?

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10:35:07 AM UTC-7, Jon Stallman wrote:
> On Thursday, June 11, 1998 at 12:00:00 AM UTC-7, DBrotto wrote:
> > I suffered a gear collapse in my LS-1f on a slightly bumpy landing a few years
> > back. No damage except some minor scrapes on the belly since I landed in grass.
> > Chip Bearden helped me pull the gas strut out and test it (thanks Chip!) It
> > seemed within spec; 90 lbs to compress. So we reinstalled it and I chalked the
> > failure up to maybe dirt preventing an overcenter or maybe a funny harmonic in
> > a landing bounce.
> > A few months later the gear again collapsed during landing while a friend was
> > landing the ship. This time the damage was more extensive requiring a trip to
> > Paul Weiden at Keystone G-port. The failed gas strut was now down to about 50
> > lbs to compress. Paul installed a new strut, cleaned up the glass damage, and I

Mike Adams

> > was back in buisness. Since then I have had no problem w/ gear collapse..
> > I did follow-up with some research on strut failures for other LS ships.. It
> > seems that the gas strut starts to fail after about 6 to 8 years of use.. My
> > thoughts are to just replace the strut with a new one every 3 years. They are
> > inexpensive enough and available (thanks Mike Adams!) This fall will be 3 years
> > from the last replacement so Paul, I'll be calling you to get on your schedule!
> > BTW, the strut is stowed and spends the vast majority of its life in the worst
> > possible position; upside down (no oil on the seal) and compressed.
> > Danny Brotto
>
> Can you put me in touch with Mike Adams?

Mike Adams has gone to meet his maker! I believe Chris Nix is the source of LS parts in the US?

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 12:04:00 PM UTC-6, John Sinclair wrote:
> On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10:35:07 AM UTC-7, Jon Stallman wrote:
> > On Thursday, June 11, 1998 at 12:00:00 AM UTC-7, DBrotto wrote:
> > > I suffered a gear collapse in my LS-1f on a slightly bumpy landing a few years
> > > back. No damage except some minor scrapes on the belly since I landed in grass.
> > > Chip Bearden helped me pull the gas strut out and test it (thanks Chip!) It
> > > seemed within spec; 90 lbs to compress. So we reinstalled it and I chalked the
> > > failure up to maybe dirt preventing an overcenter or maybe a funny harmonic in
> > > a landing bounce.
> > > A few months later the gear again collapsed during landing while a friend was
> > > landing the ship. This time the damage was more extensive requiring a trip to
> > > Paul Weiden at Keystone G-port. The failed gas strut was now down to about 50
> > > lbs to compress. Paul installed a new strut, cleaned up the glass damage, and I
> Mike Adams
> > > was back in buisness. Since then I have had no problem w/ gear collapse.
> > > I did follow-up with some research on strut failures for other LS ships. It
> > > seems that the gas strut starts to fail after about 6 to 8 years of use. My
> > > thoughts are to just replace the strut with a new one every 3 years. They are
> > > inexpensive enough and available (thanks Mike Adams!) This fall will be 3 years
> > > from the last replacement so Paul, I'll be calling you to get on your schedule!
> > > BTW, the strut is stowed and spends the vast majority of its life in the worst
> > > possible position; upside down (no oil on the seal) and compressed.
> > > Danny Brotto
> >
> > Can you put me in touch with Mike Adams?
> Mike Adams has gone to meet his maker! I believe Chris Nix is the source of LS parts in the US?

Chris Klix has retired AFAIK
I could use one of these struts for a LS3a; any ideas?
Nick
T

Paul Remde is the DG representative that I purchase my LS-related parts from. He organizes batches of part shipments to help reduce paperwork and shipping costs. He's great to work with. See https://www.cumulus-soaring.com/store/about-us

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 6:43:38 PM UTC-6, Nicholas Kennedy wrote:
> On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 12:04:00 PM UTC-6, John Sinclair wrote:
> > On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10:35:07 AM UTC-7, Jon Stallman wrote:
> > > On Thursday, June 11, 1998 at 12:00:00 AM UTC-7, DBrotto wrote:
> > > > I suffered a gear collapse in my LS-1f on a slightly bumpy landing a few years
> > > > back. No damage except some minor scrapes on the belly since I landed in grass.
> > > > Chip Bearden helped me pull the gas strut out and test it (thanks Chip!) It
> > > > seemed within spec; 90 lbs to compress. So we reinstalled it and I chalked the
> > > > failure up to maybe dirt preventing an overcenter or maybe a funny harmonic in
> > > > a landing bounce.
> > > > A few months later the gear again collapsed during landing while a friend was
> > > > landing the ship. This time the damage was more extensive requiring a trip to
> > > > Paul Weiden at Keystone G-port. The failed gas strut was now down to about 50
> > > > lbs to compress. Paul installed a new strut, cleaned up the glass damage, and I
> > Mike Adams
> > > > was back in buisness. Since then I have had no problem w/ gear collapse.
> > > > I did follow-up with some research on strut failures for other LS ships. It
> > > > seems that the gas strut starts to fail after about 6 to 8 years of use. My
> > > > thoughts are to just replace the strut with a new one every 3 years.. They are
> > > > inexpensive enough and available (thanks Mike Adams!) This fall will be 3 years
> > > > from the last replacement so Paul, I'll be calling you to get on your schedule!
> > > > BTW, the strut is stowed and spends the vast majority of its life in the worst
> > > > possible position; upside down (no oil on the seal) and compressed.
> > > > Danny Brotto
> > >
> > > Can you put me in touch with Mike Adams?
> > Mike Adams has gone to meet his maker! I believe Chris Nix is the source of LS parts in the US?
> Chris Klix has retired AFAIK
> I could use one of these struts for a LS3a; any ideas?
> Nick
> T

The gas strut on LS3/LS4 and retrofitted LS1-f is a Stabilus Lift-o-Mat, 400N, Part no. 044708. In Europe, they are available at a few online shops. Despite the service contract, DG charges their customers a premium for spare parts over here.

On Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 8:50:26 AM UTC-4, Christoph Barniske wrote:
> The gas strut on LS3/LS4 and retrofitted LS1-f is a Stabilus Lift-o-Mat, 400N, Part no. 044708. In Europe, they are available at a few online shops. Despite the service contract, DG charges their customers a premium for spare parts over here.

I once witnessed a gear-up *takeoff* in an LS-4, when that little gas strut gave out. Apparently the LS-4 hit a bump along the takeoff path, it was enough to cause the over-center cylinder to give out. This caused the gear to retract. The glider didn't have enough airspeed to take off so it slid along the paved runway. The bottom of the glider got flattened out. the CG Hook Tost release got filed away enough that the rope broke.

What a story for the bar with the glider buddies: "You did a gear up landing? Well that's nothing! Mario over here did a gear up *takeoff* !"

On 3/22/2023 9:28 AM, Piet Barber wrote:
> On Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 8:50:26 AM UTC-4, Christoph Barniske wrote:
>> The gas strut on LS3/LS4 and retrofitted LS1-f is a Stabilus Lift-o-Mat, 400N, Part no. 044708. In Europe, they are available at a few online shops. Despite the service contract, DG charges their customers a premium for spare parts over here.
>
> I once witnessed a gear-up *takeoff* in an LS-4, when that little gas strut gave out. Apparently the LS-4 hit a bump along the takeoff path, it was enough to cause the over-center cylinder to give out. This caused the gear to retract. The glider didn't have enough airspeed to take off so it slid along the paved runway. The bottom of the glider got flattened out. the CG Hook Tost release got filed away enough that the rope broke.
>
> What a story for the bar with the glider buddies: "You did a gear up landing? Well that's nothing! Mario over here did a gear up *takeoff* !"
>

I once had a normal takeoff, but when I landed the tire was completely
flat. Very short rollout, completely unexpected, stranded in the middle
of the runway. Must have hit a sharp object in the air, eh?

On Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 7:24:31 AM UTC-7, Moshe Braner wrote:
> On 3/22/2023 9:28 AM, Piet Barber wrote:
> > On Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 8:50:26 AM UTC-4, Christoph Barniske wrote:
> >> The gas strut on LS3/LS4 and retrofitted LS1-f is a Stabilus Lift-o-Mat, 400N, Part no. 044708. In Europe, they are available at a few online shops. Despite the service contract, DG charges their customers a premium for spare parts over here.
> >
> > I once witnessed a gear-up *takeoff* in an LS-4, when that little gas strut gave out. Apparently the LS-4 hit a bump along the takeoff path, it was enough to cause the over-center cylinder to give out. This caused the gear to retract. The glider didn't have enough airspeed to take off so it slid along the paved runway. The bottom of the glider got flattened out. the CG Hook Tost release got filed away enough that the rope broke.
> >
> > What a story for the bar with the glider buddies: "You did a gear up landing? Well that's nothing! Mario over here did a gear up *takeoff* !"
> >
> I once had a normal takeoff, but when I landed the tire was completely
> flat. Very short rollout, completely unexpected, stranded in the middle
> of the runway. Must have hit a sharp object in the air, eh?

There’s a simple test to check the landing gear strut on LS gliders.. After pulling the fuselage out of the trailer and before lowering the fuselage saddle; lay down beside the gear and try to retract it by shoving forward on the rear strut! It should not move more than about 10mm, then snap back when pressure is released!
Recommend this check be done every 6 months!
JJ

On Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 9:28:06 AM UTC-4, Piet Barber wrote:
> On Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 8:50:26 AM UTC-4, Christoph Barniske wrote:
> > The gas strut on LS3/LS4 and retrofitted LS1-f is a Stabilus Lift-o-Mat, 400N, Part no. 044708. In Europe, they are available at a few online shops. Despite the service contract, DG charges their customers a premium for spare parts over here.
> I once witnessed a gear-up *takeoff* in an LS-4, when that little gas strut gave out. Apparently the LS-4 hit a bump along the takeoff path, it was enough to cause the over-center cylinder to give out. This caused the gear to retract. The glider didn't have enough airspeed to take off so it slid along the paved runway. The bottom of the glider got flattened out. the CG Hook Tost release got filed away enough that the rope broke.
>
> What a story for the bar with the glider buddies: "You did a gear up landing? Well that's nothing! Mario over here did a gear up *takeoff* !"

We had exactly this happen to our club LS4. The root cause was that the pilot didn't raise the trailer dolly high enough during assembly. The gear was down but not locked/over center. It somehow stayed put while being rolled out to the line with the golf cart but retracted just before lift off. Luckily, it was on the grass and the damage was largely cosmetic except for some damage to the gear door.

P3