Building Instructions; Landing Gear - Carf-Models Ultra Lightning Instruction Manual

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Landing Gear

The Lightning, and the complete landing

gear set and it's mounting system, is

designed to handle grass runways.

The C-ARF landing gear set is specially

manufactured for the Lightning, integrat-

ing the very high quality engineering of

Behotec (Germany) for the retract units

and oleo legs, with the superb reliability

of the well-known Intairco (Australia)

wheels and brakes, and high quality

accessories and connectors. It is incredi-

bly strong and rated for models of 20+

kgs. All spare parts are available.

The main LG mounts are assembled in the wing moulds from a composite laminated carbon

sheet and aircraft-grade plywood. They are fully integrated into the wing and spar structure,

locked together with tabs and slots - bringing you the highest strength with the lowest weight.

The nosegear mounting system is also very strong, using 3 laminations of aircraft-grade 3mm

plywood, and provides easy access for retract maintenance. If you decide use a different

brand of landing gear you should use a 'trailing-link' type of

noseleg for best ground handling.

Main Gear

Temporarily assemble the wheels and oleo legs onto your

retracts, and trial fit to determine the exact mounting position

of the units, using the countersunk M4 bolts and T-nuts sup-

plied. If using our C-ARF retracts, oleos and large 115mm Ø

wheels the outer edge of the main retracts should be no

more than 5 - 6mm (1/4") inside the plywood rib outboard of

the retract mounting bay. To get perfect alignment, centre

the wheel in the wheel well, and drill just one of the 4mm

holes through the retract unit and carbon/plywood mounting

plate. Insert a bolt, and then drill the other 3 holes, one at a

time, inserting a bolt after each hole is drilled.

Note: Don't mount the retracts too far towards the wing root,

because you might not have enough clearance between the

wheel and the door later.

Remove the retract and open the holes up to 5.5mm diam-

eter for the M4 T-nuts. Using a spare M4 bolt with a large

washer under the head, pull the spikes of all the T-nuts

firmly into the plywood. Refit the retracts to check align-

ment, and then finally secure the T-nuts with a little 30

minute epoxy.