Originally Posted by eclan
it's actually better to leave the gear down to clear the trees
Even the C210N with no main gear doors? I presume you're referring to the drag penalty as the doors (on the older 210s) open during the gear cycle.
I'd say it's not about the gear doors. Which way do the wheels fold up? As they retract they present themselves side on to the airflow increasing drag significantly.
There was a light c210 that was taking off from Cape Don about 15 years ago and faced with the tall timber at the end of the strip, the pilot felt the increase in drag with the gear retraction, thought he had a problem and he wouldn't clear the trees. He pulled the power and did a gear up.
Sunfish, I have about 800 hours on type in an out of short strips and never got airborne with the stall warning blaring. I flew probably about 15 different C210 airframes.
As for people who think it's normal to get airborne with the stall warning going, please remind me of the best angle of climb speed, and short field takeoff technique? It's been a few years.