mundane matter

[wdwitrak]

winter season is approaching with ice,sleet, slush up here in north country not too distant. Recently I was checking tire pressures through the mini "barely fit my knuckles in to get at the valve stems" wheel pants doors. I was thinking about just taking and leaving them off. The wheel pants look slicker and I suppose add a few knots airspeed than bare wheels and gear but they are a real nuisance if you want to inspect wheel areas. Any thoughts out there?

thanks bw

[Todd]

Wheel pants can be a real pain during the winter and early spring. Removing the wheel pants will normally cost about 8 to 10 knots of cruise speed. The only other thing you will notice is those wheels sticking out in the open throw a bunch of water, slush, mud, etc. all over the wing and tail so it can get pretty messy at times. However, it is nice not worrying about packing slush in the wheel pant and having it freeze up.