SuperSkids400 SLG400BK
SuperSkids400 passive suspension system
SuperSkids400 are crafted with the best materials and modern
techniques to make them almost unbreakable, and to avoid the problems associated
with other landing gear. The built-in passive suspension was carefully engineered
to absorb most impact forces without transferring it to your helicopter's frame.
After all, even unbreakable landing gear isn't a bargain if it allows or causes
damage to your helicopter. The shape, materials, and even what appears to be
decorative relief cuts, are all integral parts of the suspension. Since not
all helicopters weigh the same, we can control how stiff the landing gear is
by adding positive camber to the top bar. Until now, most landing gear engineering
consisted of "make it softer", "make it stiffer", or "make it shorter and fatter,
and to heck with the tail rotor". The 2 primary styles were the "straight leg"
and the "bowed leg" designs, and each has it's own problems.
The most common type of landing gear is the "straight leg"
design. It transfers more impact force to the frame than the other designs.
Besides causing damage to the frame, it's also the most likely to break; generally
just above the skid hole, or where the legs meets the top bar. If you crash
(or land hard) at an angle, one leg may break and one side of the frame may
be damaged. If you're unfortunate enough to come down straight, both legs may
break and even more damage may be done to the frame. If the landing gear break,
there is no further protection for the tail boom, fin and rotor.
The other common landing gear is the "bowed leg" design. Some
thought (but not much engineering) has gone into these in an attempt to overcome
the problems with "straight leg" designs. Generally, if they do break, it's
near the skid hole. The design flaw is that it has to be soft to absorb any
shock, but it has to be stiff if you don't want the heli to bottom out. Since
it can't be both, manufacturers choose one or the other. There are some on the
market that are short, fat and stiff. Most of these aren't tall enough to keep
the tail off the ground, and they do little to absorb shock. Others on the market
a too soft. One that's sold as 450 size landing gear won't even support the
weight of a 400 size helicopter. It depends on the tail fin to support the back
of the helicopter. A stiff "bowed leg" design won't help to protect your frame,
and both styles easily allow damage to your tail boom, fin and rotor.
The passive* suspension in SuperSkids400 helps to protect your
helicopter's frame whether you hit straight down or at an angle. Impact shocks
are directed away from the frame and absorbed in the landing gear. Our unique
"alligator leg" design is engineered to flex within in the suspension area.
The amount of spring tension needed for heavy or light helicopters is controlled
by the camber of the top bar. This helps to protect the tail boom, fin and rotor,
as well as the frame.
* A passive suspension is one that reacts to forces. Most automobiles
use a passive suspension system.
