Why does putting the gear down cool electric flap motors?
The flap motors are located in the wheel wells on a 747. Even though the larger gear doors reclose after the gear has been extended(normally), there are still big gaps for air to get into the wheel wells. "Wind-chill factor"
I get the point about increased airloads, though (thanks for the reminder, Guppy)... However, I'm not sure how much they would increase in the flap ranges we are talking about for pitch control. I'd imagine extension would be more in the fore-aft plane, than the up-down plane.
Further, for a given airspeed, how does the gear have any effect on the load under which the flap motors are operating?
Did anyone actually say this?
Rgds.
NSEU