Need help with Mooney and Seneca landing gear

[RefugePilot]

I am looking for a basic description of the landing gear system for a Mooney and Seneca.
I have an interview tommorow and even though its been years since I have flown the Seneca and I have just forgotten how the gear works on the Mooney. I am just trying to cover any possible question that comes my way. I would appreciate just a basic description of either system and emergency lowering procedures.

Thanks

 

[Catbert]

Flew late 70's Mooneys. The gear system is completely electric. A small electric motor under the passenger comparment drives a worm gear, which in turns pushes and pulls rods driving all three gear up or down.

The emergency extension mechanism is a crank on the left side wall next to the pilot's left leg. You turn it just over 100 rotations to drive the gear down manually. In essence, all it does is replace the motor with your left arm. So if your problem is anything other than electrical failure or a hosed gear motor, your gear still isn't going anywhere.

 

[RefugePilot]

Thanks,
Thats what I thought, about the system, but did not want to describe the wrong system.

Fortunately he did not ask me about any systems on any plane. Unfortunately I went back and studied everyone I could find and a whole lot more. I guess it is better to be overprepared than under.

 

[SIG600]

It's been a long time since I've flown or taught in either...

But like Catbert said the gear on the Mooney is a worm gear that runs perpendicular to a main torque tube that runs under the pilot and passenger. Works much the same as like a garage door opener. That torque tube pushes and pulls rods that are connected to all three gear. The window in the floor with the gear indication is the actual shaft you're looking at.

Seneca's gear is the same as a Seminole... hydraulic actuators powered by a single hyd pack. I think it's in the nose. Fluid going one way pushes the gear up, go the other way pushes them down. There are some assist springs in their too, but it's been so long I can't remember specifics.