PAC 750XL
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divided into two chambers, the lower chamber in which the piston operates is separated from
the upper chamber by a baffle with a metered orifice to control the fluid displaced by the piston
movement thus providing the damping effect. A detachable bearing with inner and outer ‘O’ ring
seals and a scraper ring is located in the base of the lower chamber to act as a guide and
provide external sealing for the piston. The scraper ring protects the piston seal from damage
that could be caused by foreign material adhering to the exposed portion of the piston. Steel
sockets at the lower end of the pistons provide attachment for the wheel axles and brake anchor
plates. The lower arms of the torque links are bolted by brackets to the sockets whilst the upper
arms are attached to alloy lugs at the base of the cylinders. A nylon bumper pad is set into
each of the upper arms to contact the pistons and limit their extension when the wheels are
clear of the ground.
The nose landing gear is located between two reinforcing angles on the forward face of the
firewall. The steerable nose wheel is actuated by a steering post and mechanical linkage
attached to the piston. With weight on the nose wheel the linkage assumes a geometric
configuration through which direct control of the nose wheel is achieved by rotating the steering
post by means of pushrods connected to the rudder pedals. When weight is removed, as in
flight, the linkage extends disengaging the steering, locking the wheel in a line of flight position
and freeing the rudder pedal for control of the rudder only. Bolted to an alloy socket at the base
of the piston are the nose wheel fork and the lower portion of the steering linkage, the upper
portion of the linkage connects to the steering post which in turn is supported at its lower end to
the shock strut cylinder in a trunnion type bearing. The top of the steering post is located in a
bearing attached to the rear face of the firewall. A nylon bumper pad is set in the lower portion
of the linkage to limit the extension of the piston when the wheel is clear of the ground, in
addition as a safety feature in the event of a linkage failure, two cables are connected between
the cylinder and the nose wheel fork to prevent the nose wheel separating from the aircraft.
Brakes fitted to the main gear are hydraulically operated by applying toe pressure to the brake
pedals incorporated in the top portion of the rudder pedal assembly. Rotation of either pedal
actuates a master brake cylinder resulting in braking action to the disc brake unit on the
corresponding wheel. Differential or simultaneous braking action can be achieved as desired.
A parking brake control knob is located in the pedestal in the centre of the cockpit. The parking
brake is set by simultaneously depressing both the brake pedals, pulling and holding out the
park brake knob, then releasing the brake pedals. The parking brake is released by depressing
both toe brake pedals and pushing the parking brake control knob fully in.
CARGO COMPARTMENT
The baggage/cargo compartment extends from the area immediately behind the pilot and front
passenger seats to the rear bulkhead aft of the cargo door. The baggage/cargo compartment
floor has provision for passenger seats and cargo tie down points. There are three windows on
each side of the baggage/cargo compartment. Access to the baggage/cargo compartment is
via the entry door on the left hand side of the fuselage behind the trailing edge of the wing.