Aero Resources, Inc. (ARI) is marketing Landing Gear Modifications from three different manufacturers: Knots2U, Lake Aero Styling and Repair (LASAR), and Laminar Flow Systems, Inc. The landing gear mods from Knots2U include nose gear and main gear pants for fixed gear Cessna models, nose gear and main gear pants for Piper models, gear lobe fairings for Piper retractable gear models, flap/landing gear alert systems for Piper Comanche PA-24/30/39 models and Beech 33/35/36 models, and a wheel pant hardware/bushing kit. The landing gear mods from LASAR include a wheel well liner kit, a brake wheel cylinder rotation kit, a nose gear truss oversized bushing kit, and a steering horn assembly kit for Mooney airplanes. The landing gear mods from Laminar Flow Systems include nose gear and main gear pants for Piper fixed gear models, wheel well fairings (similar to Knots2U gear lobe fairing) for Piper retractable gear models, and mounting hardware for fixed gear pant kits. A brief description of each type of landing gear mod will be provided below. The Knots2U kits are distinguished by "K2U" in the part number, Lake Aero Styling and Repair by "LAS" in the part number, and Laminar Flow Systems by "LFS" in the part number. Click on Landing Gear Mods to place your order.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF EACH TYPE OF LANDING GEAR MOD

Cessna Nose Gear and Main Gear Wheel Pants

The Cessna nose gear and main gear pants by Knots2U are the cleanest design on the market. Brake fairings for the main gear fit flush and attach using 1/4 turn Camlock® fasteners for removal in seconds. Hinged doors are provided for quick tire pressure checks. All three wheel pants are assembled in two pieces, allowing removal of the pants without having to remove the tires or raise the aircraft. Parts are made of high quality hand laminated fiberglass for superior strength and long life. The sleek design eliminates the ridges found on the Cessna OEM pants and offers improved aerodynamics, which Knots2U estimates will add 4-9 mph to the aircraft. The nose wheel pants come in two versions, one with 5.00 X 5 nose tires and the other for 6.00 X 6 nose tires. The main wheel pants also come in two versions, one for 6.00 X 6 tires and one for 8.00 X 6 tires. Both nose gear versions sell for $895 and both main gear versions sell for $1895. The main gear also come in versions for early model spring gear and later model tubular gear Cessnas at the same price.

The Piper nose gear and main gear pants by Knots2U are approved for most PA-28 and PA-32 Models built before the 1978 model year. They are made in one piece of durable fiberglass using the latest in resin technology for long life and premium fit. They are FAA/PMA approved as replacements for the original nose and main gear pants. The nose gear pant is for 6.00 X 6 tires only and sells for $325. The main gear pants sell for $310 each. The wheel pant hardware/bushing installation set for all three gears sells for $164. The Knots2U Main Gear Fairing kit attaches to your existing wheel pants and covers the brakes, torque links, brake lines, and struts while maintaining a small sleek profile. In addition, a fairing is supplied to smooth the strut into the wing. Knots2U estimates the fairings will add 5-6 mph in cruise speed as well as a slight increase in climb performance. The fairings are made of high quality hand-laid fiberglass with Kevlar reinforcement at all the attachment points. They remove easily for inspections and maintenance. This aerodynamic lightweight modification comes with all stainless steel hardware and complete step-by-step instructions. Unlike the later model Piper fairings, these are much smaller and have a total weight of only 5.9 lbs. This main gear fairing kit installs in about 9 hours and sells for $949.

Laminal Flow Systems (LFS) produces a nose gear fairing for Piper Cherokee fixed gear models which creates a tear drop shape around the lower nose strut and block, thus reducing the drag coefficient around the gear. It is installed in about 2 hours by attaching it to the existing nose gear pant. It is finished in gray primer and ready to paint with all hardware included, as well as instructions and STC. LFS estimates a speed increase of 2-3 mph and the fairing sells for $175. LFS has a Fancy Pants mod for the main gear (similar to the Knots2U fairing kit) which covers the brake and strut parts of the landing gear. The Fancy Pants attach to the existing wheel pants and can be installed in about 4 hours. LFS estimates a speed gain of about 6 mph and the kit sells for $975.

LFS also produces a Speedpants kit for the main gear of the Piper Cherokee fixed gear models which includes new main gear pants. The company has a version of the kit for Pre-1978 models and Post-1978 models. On the Pre-1978 Piper Cherokee models, the main gear pants, strut fainings, inboard mounts, and vertical mounts are required to install the kit. On the Post-1978 models, only the main gear pants are required to install the kit. The main gear pants (2) cost $1995. The strut fairings (2) cost $400. The inboard gear pant mounts (2) cost $75. The vertical gear pant mounts (2) cost $100. The outboard stub axles (2), which are optional for both versions, are only needed if the originals have been lost or damaged and sell for $75. LFS estimates an 8 mph gain over the original Pre-1978 Piper pants and up to 3 mph gain over the original Post-1978 Piper pants. Both versions are STC/PMA approved and the Pre-1978 version installs in about 6 hours and the Post-1978 version installs in about one hour. Speedpants are covered by a "no-questions-asked" 100% money-back guarantee for 90 days. Additionally, they are guaranteed against breakage (unless caused by accident) for 1 year or 1000 hours (whichever comes first).

Piper Gear Lobe Fairing/Wheel Well Fairing Kits

The Knots2U Gear Lobe Fairing kit smoothes the air from behind the retracted main landing gear of most Piper retractable gear models. Depending to the aircraft model, Knots2U estimates a speed increase of 3-5 mph. The gear lobes are made of a composite shell filled with a "closed cell" urethane foam to keep them rigid in flight and moisture free. They have a "teardrop" shape with hidden attachments and can be installed in about 4 hours. The Knots2U kit is approved for Piper PA-28 and PA-32 Cherokee retractables, the PA-34 Seneca, and the PA-44 Seminole. The kit includes all the parts necessary for installation and is fully STC'd. It sells for $545.

Laminar Flow Systems produces a Wheel Well Fairing kit which is very similar to the Knots2U Gear Lobe Fairing kit, except it is made of aluminum instead of composite material. It is approved for the Piper PA-28 and PA-32 Cherokee retractables and the PA-34 Seneca. LFS estimates a speed increase of 3-4 mph and an installation time of 3 to 4 hours. The kit sells for $460.

Mooney Landing Gear Mods

Lake Aero Styling and Repair (LASAR) produces landing gear modification kits exclusively for Mooney aircraft. The Wheel Well Liner kit is approved for M20B thru M20K Models. It reduces the turbulent air flow in the wheel wells and provides a barrier for mud, debris and mice. LASAR estimates a speed increase of 1 mph and as installation time of about 4 hours. It sells for $155.

The Brake Wheel Cylinder Rotation kit is approved for M20B thru M20K Models. This kit is an STC which reverses the brake calipers out of the slip stream when the main landing gear is retracted. LASAR estimates a speed increase of 1 mph and an installation time of about 4 hours. The STC and instructions sell $35.

The Nose Gear Truss Oversized Bushing kit is approved for M20 thru M20K Models. It resizes your worn truss to restore the nose gear pivot to the proper tolerances and eliminate nose gear shimmy. It installs in about 2 hours and the cost is $160.

The Steering Horn Assembly modification is approved for M20C thru M20S Models. The new PMA'd steering horn by LASAR has fewer moving parts and requires less maintenance. It features life time aluminum/bronze bushings, heat-treated T-Shaft, and a new clamp-on pivot stud for positive alignment. You may also be eligible for a core discount for your old parts. The kit installs in about 3 hours and sells for $975.

Flap/Landing Gear Alert Systems

This Flap/Landing Gear Alert System by Knots2U puts an electronic circuit between the flap switch and the landing gear switch. If the landing gear is not down and locked the system triggers the existing gear warning horn, plus a new "GEAR ALERT" light the instant the flaps are selected for the down position. With this system you get the warning in the pattern, not a few feet off the ground! With its new "push to test" function you can test even the aircraft's stock warning system at any time. The existing throttle actuated gear alert is kept intact for added redundancy.

The kit is available for all Beech 33/35/36 models and all Piper PA-24/30/39 models. The PA-24 models with manual flaps use a micro-switch connected to the flaps that can be set to trigger the system after the first notch of flaps. All models, except the PA-24 manual flap models, install in about 4 hours. The PA-24 kit for manual flap models installs in about 6 hours. The Beech kit sells for $275. The kit for Piper electric flap models sells for $179. The kit for PA-24 manual flap models sells for $209. The kit is STC/PMA'd and comes complete with everything necessary for installation.

This is an inexpensive upgrade that could really save your bottom!