Is the AeroCanard available with a retractable main gear?
A. Yes. The nose gear is retractable, and the main gear strut is tear-drop shaped, and with wheel pants, there is very little drag with the fixed main gear. The retractable main gear is not as strong or as light as the fixed gear. It has to retract into the strake, which sacrifices fuel capacity. To go 5 or 10 knots faster, it is simply not cost effective, since a retractable main gear increases building cost at least $5,000, would increase insurance cost, would increase maintenance cost, and would increase building time. Retractable main gears are subject to failure (to go down) and forgetfulness (forgetting to lower). In the event of an off field landing, We recommend you research the difference of the two types of main gears and make your choice.
