Originally Posted by
UAL T38 Phlyer
More likely trying to save ex$pensive damage to the engines and props. I'm not an expert on this, but I think if the engines are off, worst case, you just replace the props. Running? Possibly the crankshafts too, which means you are replacing the whole engine.
It's already going to cost him to fix the gear, and the skin damge under the nose....
Originally Posted by
N9373M
To protect his props and associated engine damage from a prop strike. Potentially saved tens of thousands of dollars on rebuilds/inspections.
I thought it was to avoid dmage to the engines from a prop strike too.
Looks like the instructor did an excellent job. Bravo Zulu!
UAL - it is amazing how little damage can be done to the underbelly of an aircraft after a collasped gear, or even gear up, landing.
I saw a hawker Hunter once right after a gear up landing and it was hard to see the damage until you saw the antenna on the belly near the aft end which got pushed up into the fuselage. Of course it had the added benefit of having drop tanks on it, but even they were remarkably damage free.
USMCFLYR