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Old 10th Sep 2013, 20:44
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Shaggy Sheep Driver
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: UK
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The most common sin I see with trikes are 3-point landings. No attempt to hold off. The noseleg was not designed to take touchdown loads - the mains are for that. Then the nose lowered on. This is actually the most common way these aeroplanes are landed - to see a held-off landing by one is a rare treat.

Sad thing is the aeroplane won't complain. Time and time again it'll let the driver (obviously not a pilot) to plonk it on with zero skill at many knots too fast, then stand on the brakes.

Then one day it doesn't, and we have a nosewheel collapse. Or worse yet a pilot lands it properly, holds off, lowers the nose gently on, and the tired and previously much-misused leg has had enough and collapses. An innocent victim has his flying record besmirched by chump aeroplane drivers in his group or club.

The AAIB reports are thick with noseleg collapses every month. They don't cause injury, but with the associated bent prop and shock loaded engine they are very expensive. We all pay for this incompetance through our insurance premiums.
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