Hi,I would like to rebuild my landing gear lever to get one, more realistic.I like the Flight Deck system one.Does any one knows how the real things work ?- On the Flight Deck picture, we can see a spring at the end of the lever. Is that meen, we have to pull the lever towards us to put the lever free and move it up and down as we wish ? - Do we have to turn the handle in some direction to lock any position ?- If we look at the red part on the lever picture, (kind of gun trigger) is it a moving part or just something to help to pull the lever ?Thank you!JP Tremblayhttp://pages.infinit.net/flight01/index.html

Ok. Different levers in different aircraft, but the concept is the same.The lever has 3 positions: Retract, Extend and Off. In the retract position, the pumps and motors that make the system retract are powered. In the extend position, the motors that make the system extend are put in motion. In the off position, the system is de-energized which is useful for in-flight operations so power can be used elsewhere.In order to move the lever, there is a latch below the lever wheel (a trigger-like device) or you have to pull the lever out towards the aft of the aircraft in order to disengage safety locks (stopping you from bumping the gear out of position).The way I see this built is 2 tubes - an outer one that rotates the assembly and an inner one that slides in and out of the outer tube. Using a spring to hold the inner tube towards the rear of the outer tube. At the front of the tube are 2 bolts that slide in a arc track. The bolts will slide along an arc that has some dimples in it for the bolts to "lock" into. Pulling the trigger would move the inner-tube towards the rear of the aircraft (moving the bolts out of the "locks") or pulling the gear lever (the round piece at the end) would pull the bolts out of the "locks".Once you start to get the parts in order, you'll have to engineer what you've got until I can make my example, then I'll photograph the assembly process. Many others have already done it, if anyone has any pics to share.Make sense? If not, tell me what you need me to clarify.

Hi there and welcome to what I am sure will become both an absorbing and madening pastime.The landing gear lever was the first thing that I started with after cutting out the Main Instrument Panel simply for the reason that it gave me something big and clunky that actually done something. You can see how I made mine in the archive section of my site, link at bottom of post. Here is a basic scematic of how the machanism works. It is basically a tube inside another tude with the threaded rod acting both as return spring holders and travel stops.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/142842.jpgOn the Boeings the lever is pulled to move it to a new position. The red or sometimes yellow trigger is the ground over-ride lock. This is so you can not actually accidentally retract the landing gear on the ground. During maintenance etc the gear needs to be tested when the aircraft is on jacks etc. Pulling the trigger will then allow you to move the lever. Atleast that is how I believe it to be.Simonaka The Porcupinewww.desktopflying.co.uk (in severe need of an update)Very slowely putting together a generic twin desktop unit.

Hi JP,if you need to know how a real 727 / 737 gear lever works, or look when it is taken apart, simply have a look at my homepage!There are two photo stories of taking apart, cleaning and painting a genuine gear lever.You will find all this under simproject 1. there are two lins toGear lever and Cleaning my old parts...I hope this helps!!Best from ViennaHans G. SchuetzProject777---------------------------------------http://www.project777.com[email protected](LOWW - Vienna)

Hi,I'm sorry to have answered so late, I was to busy

If the aircraft is on jacks lifted off the landing gear and you need to retract it for maintenance purposes, the red trigger is used....as described above, it sounds like the trigger automatically will override the squad switches built into the landing gears (that sense when weight is on wheels)....i'm guessing 3-4 pounds of pressure, much like that of a handgun?Any boeing guys who've flown the bird know the answer to this?

Hi!You need to pull both at the same time: first the gear lever and at the same time the red trigger called "Lock Override". This is just a mechanical guard. so now switches needed. That is how my 727 gear lever is working.Well, to answer the 3 - 4 pound thingie...For my other hobby, I am shooting from time to time with different guns. To pull the red trigger is not like a pistol. more like a heavy revolver without cocking the hammer first, but pull back the trigger and the mechanism rotates the cylinter, cocks the hammer, and the fires in one continuous process. (double-action) It needs some power in your "mouse-finger" ... ;-)The red trigger is supportet by the same spring as the lever itself when you pull it to move it up or down.Best from ViennaHans G. SchuetzProject777---------------------------------------http://www.project777.com[email protected](LOWW - Vienna)

Hi,After thoughts, I believe that is not so important to simulate (with a lot of precisions) the ground mechanisms for locking the lever. Because the override function won't be a things I will use in my "day by day simulation".But the possibility to lock the lever in the ground is important.So my mechanisms will be simple:- SIOC will detect I'm on the ground (I don't know exactly how, at this time)- A servo motor or some thing like that will hook my lever- With my red trigger I will just push this hook to unlock - I will be able to raise up my lever....Now, I have to go to work !Thanks to all !JP Tremblay

Reading FSUIPC offset $0366 will give you the answer, 1= on ground 0= in air.This is the line from my SIOC code that does this.Var 0215, name AC_GND_FLAG, Link FSUIPC_IN, Offset $0366, Length 2 // 1= Aircraft on the groundRegards Simonaka The PorcupineVery slowely putting together a generic twin desktop unit.

The best!Thank you Simon...

Hi,in reality the locking mechanism is realized with a solenoid!but keep in mind: the red trigger is the override trigger. you won't need it at normal conditions. as soon as the bird is airborn, the gear lever is unlocked. when the bird touched down, the lock is engaged.Best from ViennaHans G. SchuetzProject777---------------------------------------http://www.project777.com[email protected](LOWW - Vienna)