I love the new tech videos. Very informative. Better than just video from point A to B. Now I know. A few more videos and I’ll be gunning for your job. Lol.
On an F-4 we just called them landing gear switches. They inhibited high powered radar transmit, and wouldn't allow bomb drop, gun or rocket fire. quite handy if you were parked in the hangar.
Answer Straight from Gulfstream IV OM Nutcracker System The nutcracker (squat) switch system provides AIR or GROUND sensing to aircraft systems and components. A nutcracker switch is installed on each landing gear. The nutcracker switch contacts are depressed when the landing gear oleo-pneumatic struts are compressed by the weight of the aircraft on the ground. When the aircraft is in flight, the struts extend, releasing pressure on the nutcracker switches and opening the switch contacts. The nutcracker switch system is connected to seventeen relays. Circuits may be opened or closed corresponding to AIR or GROUND states of operation by wiring systems and components through the nutcracker switch relays. The left and right main landing gear nutcracker switch relays are powered by the Essential DC bus. The nose gear nutcracker switch relay is powered by the Emergency DC bus. The main gear nutcracker switches are incorporated into a test circuit that verifies switch integrity. (The nose landing gear nutcracker switch is not tested.) The test switch is located on the center pedestal aft of the throttle quadrant. Each nutcracker switch has a dedicated circuit breaker. If a nutcracker switch fails in the ground (closed) position, pulling the respective circuit breaker will change the switch input to relays to the air position. Nutcracker switch inputs from the main landing gear control the landing gear lever safety lock solenoid and the nose landing gear nutcracker switch weight-on-wheels signal is necessary for nosewheel steering. I will try and link a manual for illustrations.
Tip get your hands on the Gulfstream IV OM,MM,IPC to comprehend the system in technical manner.Just ask one of the A&P mechanics.Gulfstream has a very good technical customer support.(They may ask for a credit card though). +1 800 810 4853 (GULF) or +1 912 965 4178 LINK TO LANGING GEAR GULFSTREAM OM(operating Manual) www.jettairx.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Gulfstream_GIV-Landing_Gear.pdf
Shaun, thanks for the detailed explanation on the "Nut Cracker" system. Years ago when I flew the Gulfstream II, I had the pleasure of having a Space Shuttle Astronaut in one of my Recurrent Classes in Savannah. They flew four Gulftstream IIs modified to mimic the shuttle approach into KTTS. Shuttle Astronauts had to fly 500 successful simulator approaches into KTTS before they were "Commander" rated. He said "Nut Cracker" originated with an aerospace engineer at Grumman Bethpage that designed it. Please report what FSI says now days. If you have the extra sim time after checking the Part 91 and 135 boxes ask if FSI still has "The Shuttle Approach" available in the sim. It is a 19 degree glide slope, the sim was modified so that you could put the main gear down with the nose gear still retracted until the flair. Only then could you put the nose gear down. The nose gear down any sooner would spoil airflow over the wing. Great videos. Be well. Art
Shaun, I found this pic online of one of NASA's GIIs on approach to KTTS. Note mains down and locked, nose retracted until the flair. Be well. code7700.com/images/gulfstream_ii_shuttle_training_aircraft_1996-04-03_nasa.jpg
Weight on Wheels (WOW) switch on the E2-C Hawkeye. Thorn in our sides for about 6 days on the carrirer. Yes, we had to jack the plane up to trouble-shoot (on the flight deck) in order to swing the gear....not for the faint at heart. I really enjoy the videos! Awesome job!
Loved the video on your background Sean. That Gulfstream simulator opportunity worked out GREAT for you. Thank John for me for hiring you. You two work together like a well oiled machine driving that gorgeous aircraft. It’s a pleasure to watch you both!
That was handy. I was just going to ask what the Nutcrackers were and Googled it to find yourself explaining it. Thanks for that, now I know what it is and what it does. Thank-you.
A suggestion about a future technical video would be hours on the airframe and pressurization cycles. What is the realistic life for the G-IV. When I was flying I had a PA 22-150. You land faster than our max speed. I do really love the videos. Your and Jon's crew coordination is amazing. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for taking the time to explain the Gulfstream’s controls, specifically topping-off the engine oil, nutcracker switch, and the tiller. I realize your primary job is to safely fly the aircraft, but if you could position the camera in such a way that a close-up of your two primary CRTs is showing, especially on the approach and landing, I would appreciate it. One piece of equipment I am interested in is the AOA indicator. Not even sure if the Gulfstreams have one, but if your aircraft has one...how is it used. I had to chuckle on one of your recent videos where you got a shout-out by a controller. John, who comes across as the left seat guy who seemed to just tolerate your video shooting, really got excited when he heard the shout-out. His whole persona changed in how I view him. Thank you again! Patrick
Hey Patrick! I have a few videos coming out soon that show the flight instruments a bit better than before, but it's hard to position the camera in a way to see everything, but not block MY view of the instruments. The AOA is on the bottom left of the PFD, but is seldom used in the G-IV. It is primarily used for the stall prevention system.
Thanks for taking the time to explain things to us Sean! I worked on F-16’s and, if I remember correctly, Lockheed calls it a WOW switch or Weight On Wheels switch. Keep livin that CPL!
That makes sense and as mentioned below the airlines call it the "squat switch" and serves a lot of purposes like sending a message to the company about wheels off the ground to track pilot flight time to engines times, cycles, etc. Thanks for the explanation.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that had that question just hadn't gotten around to finding an answer or asking I sell an important piece of safety equipment thanks guys
Love your tech videos! Not a chance in hell that I'd ever do flight training again (never finished years ago), but I am fascinated by how much I've learned from your channel and enjoy the camaraderie and the professionalism of the crew. Thank you!
Thanks man ,trying to understand that reading the book is awful, you said it one time and I got it , love your videos I'm learning the G4 , at the school right know , amazing plane. with your videos I increase my motivation to enjoy that amazing machine from the 80s, thanks amazing job.
Excellent video and a concise explanation of the "nutcracker". Too bad it looked cold there, I suppose you can't have sun and fun all the time. Really appreciate the time you take out of your busy career and family life to make these great videos.
Wow not only a pilot but a tutor as well, a man of many talents. Thanks Shaun always great information. I know i am a weird guy but a video showing and simple explanation of the circuit breakers would be cool, at least to me
Thanks! Its nice to know finally what the nutcracker refers to in the check list. Kind of crazy what can happen if that nutcracker is in the wrong mode when landing! G-5 drops and hits the deck from 50 ft on flare because a switch is in the wrong mode! So Nutcracker is Very appropriately named! Ball buster or butt buster would work too dropping on runway from 50 ft. So if ever the nutcracker IS discovered to be set at the wrong mode during landing checklist, it sounds like flipping the circuit breaker should fix the issue according to the nice tech comment provided by Julietbravo628.
I’ve been commenting a lot. But what about having videos like once a month of the pilots and of course the flight attendant doing a Q and A. Like the question I had about smoothest landing. And comments like that. And make it all in one 10 minute video. Just an idea. Thanks for the work of making all of these videos that I love to watch.
Corporate Pilot Life it’s just an idea I had that would make the Chanel even better than it is. ; (It’s already my favorite channel). Especially since it inspired me to start flying lessons which I have.
I think it would be nice if you did some more videos of tech stuf, not to complicated, but to let your viewers know about the aircraft you fly, even the checks before take off and landing. Maybe you have done them and I have not found them yet, but keep the videos coming. I don't mind longer videos of your flights and looking out the cockpit if there is something to see. If not it would be nice just to explain something to your viewers about the aircraft. Thank-you for some good entertaining videos, spent hours watching them. i like to see a flight from the start when you go onboard to getting the info then taking off and the full landing. Nice to see pilots taking the trouble to make videos for us mere mortals to watch. It is a great life you guys have.
Thanks for the explanation, was wondering about that. Back when I worked in aircraft maintenance we referred to it as the WOW switch, (weight on wheels).
Glad you liked it...I was still getting lots of questions about it, so I figured I would hit it again. I think a lot of people haven't gone back and watched all of the earlier videos to see that clip. Thanks for watching!
not sure if true, but supposedly, an engineer who was testing the initial design rolled his stool too close to the switch when it deployed...man bits got , well...cracked. thus the name. again...could just be aviation lore
Interesting, it is called WOW (weight on wheels) on the 450 and 550 but you still have to check for WOW status being in the air during the gear down flow before you arm the ground spoilers. No switch for it though as status is shown on the screens. Thanks for clearing that up!
Ah, in the Navy we called it a "weight on wheels switch." There was an initial problem with the A-6E because it had a FLIR pod on the underside of the nose. If the aircraft was powered and the gear lever was accidently put in the up position while on the ground it would settle and crush that pod. That's when they put that equivalent switch on the gear, albeit for different reason.
The "ref and 10" is our approach speed. Anything less and we probably need a correction. The sinking # is the vertical speed in hundreds of feet per minute. We like to see between 600 and 1000 feet per minute on a normal approach.
Great stuff! The technical info is great, how about explaining all switches/settings as time permits? Always wondered what the nutcracker was all about! Thought it might have been a penalty for a lousy landing! Thx again for great videos!
That was my old DOMs classic V that had the popsicle sticks left in the WOW switch in an attempt to trick it in to air mode. The V does not use a nut cracker but rather a combined wow switch.
Hi A, I was told it was the first flight after a maintenance test flight. Popsicle sticks and circuit breakers pulled. Poor or no preflight and the crew failed to do a before landing checklist. That was a beautiful aircraft. It sat on the south side of PBI for a long time. Any idea where she is now? Thanks
Thanks Sean/Shaun. Actually Googled "Nutcracker" a few weeks ago to figure out what it was so your tech video is great timing to actually see the switch. Apparently unique to Gulfstream, and "folk lore" says the design team thought the switch looked like an old fashioned nutcracker - like you see everywhere during the Christmas holiday season. Not a pilot so the lingo that sounds like "reffing at 10 syncing at 8" just before landing; what is that referring to?
It's actually "Ref and 10" meaning Vref speed plus 10 knots. That is the appropriate speed on approach. Then it's "sinking 8" meaning the vertical speed on approach is 800 feet per minute. We like somewhere between 600 and 1000 for a normal approach.
I think people are interested because of the name of the switch, nutcracker. If it were named "landing gear ground sensor" interest would be lower. You will get this question ad infinitum in the future. It is just the way people are built. You should put a link in the description of every video to this video. :)
The Fokker F100 weight on wheels sensor used to fuck up during the winter and you could actual deploy thrust reversers in flight,,,,,,,,,,,,,if you wanted to
Great stuff - thanks. Watching your filed flights recently, I notice that your plane makes a lot of fairly short flights between some of the longer ones. Is that common? Are you and John the only two who fly this aircraft? Enjoy watching your vids immensely. Glad you are doing this.
Jon and I are the only pilots on this plane. The short flights are fairly normal. We have to reposition empty sometimes to pick up different passengers.
Nice to watch as always. Is there a problem if it's the other way around? Nutcracker in ground aircraft inflight. The toys i play with need also wheel spinup on top of the proximity switching. Keep these video's coming!
Definitely a problem if it's in ground mode while in flight...that's where the spoilers could pop up when the power is brought to idle. We also have wheel spinup as a backup incase the nutcrackers don't go to ground mode after landing.
Very informative! I was wondering for a while. It probably also inhibits your stall warning and switches the engines to ground idle? Never worked with a G4 but I would imagine this light and test is a sort of retrofit after the accident you mentioned. Also wondering why they didn’t design the auto extend on the the wheel speed sensors.... Anyway great video’s! Enjoy everyone of them!
Just discovered your channel, thanks for all the great content. Was about to google this and then spotted the video, great explanation. I haven’t found a video yet on my other question, is there a seat for Francine to sit on in the isle with a belt or is she the proverbial unbelted kid in the back seat waiting to get launched thru the windscreen if the worst happens.
Hey Shawn. When you are on approach, what does Ref 10 Sink 7 mean? I hear you say similar to this in your videos. Once you called out numbers ref and sink and John said correcting. I appreciate the videos. They are fun to watch!
The "ref and 10" is the Vref speed and is our recommended approach speed. The sinking # is the vertical speed in hundreds of feet per minute. We like to see between 600 and 1000 feet per minute on a normal approach. Anything more or less and we probably need a correction. That's when you hear us say "correcting"
Hey, I finally found the right search terms! I knew I couldn't be the first person to wonder what that call out was about... The other thing I keep hearing is one of you calling "six lights" after touchdown. What is that for? Thanks!
That’s cool that Nutcracker is the actual name and not slang. 😎. If in ground mode and on short final. Would you carry more speed and once on the ground go to idle and deploy the boards?
If it were stuck in ground mode, we wouldn't necessarily carry more speed. We would just not arm the automatic spoiler deployment until after touchdown.
I love the new tech videos. Very informative. Better than just video from point A to B. Now I know. A few more videos and I’ll be gunning for your job. Lol.
Yeah, it is nice to see little bit of the tech on the aircraft. Nice to see a bit more of this.
On an F-4 we just called them landing gear switches. They inhibited high powered radar transmit, and wouldn't allow bomb drop, gun or rocket fire. quite handy if you were parked in the hangar.
HAHA! I bet!
Answer Straight from Gulfstream IV OM
Nutcracker System
The nutcracker (squat) switch system provides AIR or GROUND sensing to aircraft systems and components. A nutcracker switch is installed on each landing gear. The nutcracker switch contacts are depressed when the landing gear oleo-pneumatic struts are compressed by the weight of the aircraft on the ground. When the aircraft is in flight, the struts extend, releasing pressure on the nutcracker switches and opening the switch contacts. The nutcracker switch system is connected to seventeen relays. Circuits may be opened or closed corresponding to AIR or GROUND states of operation by wiring systems and components through the nutcracker switch relays.
The left and right main landing gear nutcracker switch relays are powered by the Essential DC bus. The nose gear nutcracker switch relay is powered by the Emergency DC bus. The main gear nutcracker switches are incorporated into a test circuit that verifies switch integrity. (The nose landing gear nutcracker switch is not tested.) The test switch is located on the center pedestal aft of the throttle quadrant. Each nutcracker switch has a dedicated circuit breaker. If a nutcracker switch fails in the ground (closed) position, pulling the respective circuit breaker will change the switch input to relays to the air position.
Nutcracker switch inputs from the main landing gear control the landing gear lever safety lock solenoid and the nose landing gear nutcracker switch weight-on-wheels signal is necessary for nosewheel steering.
I will try and link a manual for illustrations.
Holy cow! I need to get you to take over the Tech videos for me...great info!
JulietBravo628 where were you when I was taking my twin training? Your explanation is light years better than what I had
Tip get your hands on the Gulfstream IV OM,MM,IPC to comprehend the system in technical manner.Just ask one of the A&P mechanics.Gulfstream has a very good technical customer support.(They may ask for a credit card though).
+1 800 810 4853 (GULF) or +1 912 965 4178
LINK TO LANGING GEAR GULFSTREAM OM(operating Manual)
www.jettairx.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Gulfstream_GIV-Landing_Gear.pdf
JulietBravo628 very nice. I briefly flew a King Air 200. The basics don’t seem to change but the avionics are light years beyond what I used
JulietBravo628 I
Started to look it up online and the search took me right to your video. Good job!
Shaun, thanks for the detailed explanation on the "Nut Cracker" system. Years ago when I flew the Gulfstream II, I had the pleasure of having a Space Shuttle Astronaut in one of my Recurrent Classes in Savannah. They flew four Gulftstream IIs modified to mimic the shuttle approach into KTTS. Shuttle Astronauts had to fly 500 successful simulator approaches into KTTS before they were "Commander" rated. He said "Nut Cracker" originated with an aerospace engineer at Grumman Bethpage that designed it. Please report what FSI says now days. If you have the extra sim time after checking the Part 91 and 135 boxes ask if FSI still has "The Shuttle Approach" available in the sim. It is a 19 degree glide slope, the sim was modified so that you could put the main gear down with the nose gear still retracted until the flair. Only then could you put the nose gear down. The nose gear down any sooner would spoil airflow over the wing. Great videos. Be well. Art
That's wild!! I'll be sure to ask...thanks!
Shaun, I found this pic online of one of NASA's GIIs on approach to KTTS. Note mains down and locked, nose retracted until the flair. Be well. code7700.com/images/gulfstream_ii_shuttle_training_aircraft_1996-04-03_nasa.jpg
The GIV that was behind you I have worked on at Van Nuys not long ago.
That takes cracking nuts to a whole new level.....what a way to go, thanks.
That makes sense. Have a great week guys.
The tech videos are great!
Weight on Wheels (WOW) switch on the E2-C Hawkeye. Thorn in our sides for about 6 days on the carrirer. Yes, we had to jack the plane up to trouble-shoot (on the flight deck) in order to swing the gear....not for the faint at heart. I really enjoy the videos! Awesome job!
Loved the video on your background Sean. That Gulfstream simulator opportunity worked out GREAT for you. Thank John for me for hiring you. You two work together like a well oiled machine driving that gorgeous aircraft. It’s a pleasure to watch you both!
Good job. Keep up the good work.
That was handy. I was just going to ask what the Nutcrackers were and Googled it to find yourself explaining it. Thanks for that, now I know what it is and what it does. Thank-you.
You must have read my mind! Question not asked but answered. Thanks
Your videos make me realize I can now retire and keep my hand in by watching you.
A suggestion about a future technical video would be hours on the airframe and pressurization cycles. What is the realistic life for the G-IV. When I was flying I had a PA 22-150. You land faster than our max speed. I do really love the videos. Your and Jon's crew coordination is amazing. Keep up the good work.
Great idea...Thanks!
Great Up Close video Thanks 🛩
Thank you for taking the time to explain the Gulfstream’s controls, specifically topping-off the engine oil, nutcracker switch, and the tiller. I realize your primary job is to safely fly the aircraft, but if you could position the camera in such a way that a close-up of your two primary CRTs is showing, especially on the approach and landing, I would appreciate it. One piece of equipment I am interested in is the AOA indicator. Not even sure if the Gulfstreams have one, but if your aircraft has one...how is it used. I had to chuckle on one of your recent videos where you got a shout-out by a controller. John, who comes across as the left seat guy who seemed to just tolerate your video shooting, really got excited when he heard the shout-out. His whole persona changed in how I view him. Thank you again! Patrick
Hey Patrick! I have a few videos coming out soon that show the flight instruments a bit better than before, but it's hard to position the camera in a way to see everything, but not block MY view of the instruments. The AOA is on the bottom left of the PFD, but is seldom used in the G-IV. It is primarily used for the stall prevention system.
Excellent. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for taking the time to explain things to us Sean! I worked on F-16’s and, if I remember correctly, Lockheed calls it a WOW switch or Weight On Wheels switch. Keep livin that CPL!
That makes sense and as mentioned below the airlines call it the "squat switch" and serves a lot of purposes like sending a message to the company about wheels off the ground to track pilot flight time to engines times, cycles, etc. Thanks for the explanation.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that had that question just hadn't gotten around to finding an answer or asking I sell an important piece of safety equipment thanks guys
I asked the question on a recent vid -- should have gone back through library to watch!
Love that Gulstream call it the NTCRKR on the test switch!
@0:55 the tictac holder !
Yep!
21k Subs! Ibet you hit 50k by end of year!
Keep up the good work, stay high!
I hope so!
Love your tech videos! Not a chance in hell that I'd ever do flight training again (never finished years ago), but I am fascinated by how much I've learned from your channel and enjoy the camaraderie and the professionalism of the crew. Thank you!
Thanks man ,trying to understand that reading the book is awful, you said it one time and I got it , love your videos I'm learning the G4 , at the school right know , amazing plane. with your videos I increase my motivation to enjoy that amazing machine from the 80s, thanks amazing job.
Loving the tech vids. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out what the nutcracker was. So thank you!
These videos with your explanations are phenomenal. Thanks
Excellent video and a concise explanation of the "nutcracker". Too bad it looked cold there, I suppose you can't have sun and fun all the time. Really appreciate the time you take out of your busy career and family life to make these great videos.
Thanks Jerry!
Wow not only a pilot but a tutor as well, a man of many talents. Thanks Shaun always great information. I know i am a weird guy but a video showing and simple explanation of the circuit breakers would be cool, at least to me
I can add that to the list of things to show...thanks!
Thanks! Its nice to know finally what the nutcracker refers to in the check list. Kind of crazy what can happen if that nutcracker is in the wrong mode when landing! G-5 drops and hits the deck from 50 ft on flare because a switch is in the wrong mode!
So Nutcracker is Very appropriately named! Ball buster or butt buster would work too dropping on runway from 50 ft.
So if ever the nutcracker IS discovered to be set at the wrong mode during landing checklist, it sounds like flipping the circuit breaker should fix the issue according to the nice tech comment provided by Julietbravo628.
I am glad to see that you guys are doing great! 1 million views in 1 year!👍
Thanks! We're very happy with the growth...
Awesome description. I love the reasoning behind **why** this is important.
great video, Shaun...back in the olden days, we called it a "squat" switch. Neither name is very flattering!
That's what most airplane manufacturers call them...Gulfstream likes to be different I guess.
Keep them coming! Short and to the point.
I’ve been commenting a lot. But what about having videos like once a month of the pilots and of course the flight attendant doing a Q and A. Like the question I had about smoothest landing. And comments like that. And make it all in one 10 minute video. Just an idea. Thanks for the work of making all of these videos that I love to watch.
That's a good idea!
Corporate Pilot Life it’s just an idea I had that would make the Chanel even better than it is. ;
(It’s already my favorite channel). Especially since it inspired me to start flying lessons which I have.
I think it would be nice if you did some more videos of tech stuf, not to complicated, but to let your viewers know about the aircraft you fly, even the checks before take off and landing. Maybe you have done them and I have not found them yet, but keep the videos coming. I don't mind longer videos of your flights and looking out the cockpit if there is something to see. If not it would be nice just to explain something to your viewers about the aircraft. Thank-you for some good entertaining videos, spent hours watching them. i like to see a flight from the start when you go onboard to getting the info then taking off and the full landing. Nice to see pilots taking the trouble to make videos for us mere mortals to watch. It is a great life you guys have.
Thanks for the explanation, was wondering about that. Back when I worked in aircraft maintenance we referred to it as the WOW switch, (weight on wheels).
Thank you for the visual.
Now I know! Thanks for the explanation.
I have wanted to ask this very question for ages. Thank you for the video and make more please.
Tech videos are awesome.
I read that on the G5s and later they are called WOW switches (Weight on Wheels).
I believe that is correct
super interesting. I love hearing about the aircraft's systems
Hello from kenya! Great videos. Awexome to watch. Cant wait for the next one!
Thanks for explaining the Gulfstream’s nutcrackers. Who’d have guessed?
Awesome! thanks for the video
Great vid!! First time I've ever heard of this (I've got alot to learn as a non-pilot). Thanks for the info! 👍👍
Thanks a lot for this very informative tech video, I enjoyed it !!! Keep up the good work and fly safe !!!
Perfect explanation..... Thanks
You've hit the highlights of the nutcracker in previous videos but I love the in depth, detailed explanation. Thank you for all you do for us!
Glad you liked it...I was still getting lots of questions about it, so I figured I would hit it again. I think a lot of people haven't gone back and watched all of the earlier videos to see that clip. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the explanation. I've wondered what that was about for a long time. Good explanation.
Love it. Thanks for the video.
Yep, Thanks again Shaun for a very helpful video. I also like tech vid's
This is great. I figured the nutcracker was slang and not a technical term and then you showed the panel 😂
My wife said the same thing...she wouldn't believe me when I first told her it was a technical term.
Make sure your wife never, ever becomes friends with my ex. Horrible things will happen
not sure if true, but supposedly, an engineer who was testing the initial design rolled his stool too close to the switch when it deployed...man bits got , well...cracked. thus the name. again...could just be aviation lore
great explanation Thanks keep it up
Ah the "weight on wheels" sensor. Thank you for the informative video!
yep!
By the description of the nutcracker failure and the G5 falling out of the air, I think I'd prefer the copilot to manually deploy the spoilers!
Love your channel! Hope to see more cool videos in the future!
Funny name for a squat switch. Thanks for the explanation.
Thanks, you guys do a great job of bringing us along.
Thanks for the tech videos. You guys answer a lot of questions.
Another great video, I always learn something new.
Interesting, it is called WOW (weight on wheels) on the 450 and 550 but you still have to check for WOW status being in the air during the gear down flow before you arm the ground spoilers. No switch for it though as status is shown on the screens. Thanks for clearing that up!
I didn't know that! Hopefully I'll get to see those systems at some point...
And hitting hard from 50 feet will certainly crack your nuts. Was wondering that myself. Thanks
Ah, in the Navy we called it a "weight on wheels switch." There was an initial problem with the A-6E because it had a FLIR pod on the underside of the nose. If the aircraft was powered and the gear lever was accidently put in the up position while on the ground it would settle and crush that pod. That's when they put that equivalent switch on the gear, albeit for different reason.
Ouch...that sounds expensive.
Dan, the A-6E, Gulfstream I and IIs were designed and built by the very same people. I bet the same engineer designed both !!
Cool Vid. I’m curious about the Sink and Ref call out on final approach.
The "ref and 10" is our approach speed. Anything less and we probably need a correction. The sinking # is the vertical speed in hundreds of feet per minute. We like to see between 600 and 1000 feet per minute on a normal approach.
Corporate Pilot Life Thanks!! Love the channel!!
Thanks for the explanation. Good job! Could you do one about the little green screens above the flight directors?
That one is coming soon...thanks!
Man, I was going somewhere totally different with this ... we used to use basically the same term when tightening the straps on our parachutes.
Thank you for doing that!!!
Great stuff! The technical info is great, how about explaining all switches/settings as time permits? Always wondered what the nutcracker was all about! Thought it might have been a penalty for a lousy landing! Thx again for great videos!
I can try to work that in...Thanks!
That was my old DOMs classic V that had the popsicle sticks left in the WOW switch in an attempt to trick it in to air mode. The V does not use a nut cracker but rather a combined wow switch.
Hi A, I was told it was the first flight after a maintenance test flight. Popsicle sticks and circuit breakers pulled. Poor or no preflight and the crew failed to do a before landing checklist. That was a beautiful aircraft. It sat on the south side of PBI for a long time. Any idea where she is now? Thanks
Thanks Shaun
That was a GREAT explanation. Thank you!
And don’t forget to keep “Living The Corporate Pilot Life”
Thanks Scott! I didn't realize that I forgot to say it till I was doing the editing...oh well
I got ur back
Very informative video! Thank you!
I tell the pilots and line guys @ Sheltair Tampa about you guys.
Always great videos! Thanks!!
Thank you for explaining this! Been wondering this for awhile!
Thanks Sean/Shaun. Actually Googled "Nutcracker" a few weeks ago to figure out what it was so your tech video is great timing to actually see the switch. Apparently unique to Gulfstream, and "folk lore" says the design team thought the switch looked like an old fashioned nutcracker - like you see everywhere during the Christmas holiday season. Not a pilot so the lingo that sounds like "reffing at 10 syncing at 8" just before landing; what is that referring to?
T M I saw the same thing! Then I saw the tiny little switch and I was like oh... Damn internet!
It's actually "Ref and 10" meaning Vref speed plus 10 knots. That is the appropriate speed on approach. Then it's "sinking 8" meaning the vertical speed on approach is 800 feet per minute. We like somewhere between 600 and 1000 for a normal approach.
I think people are interested because of the name of the switch, nutcracker. If it were named "landing gear ground sensor" interest would be lower. You will get this question ad infinitum in the future. It is just the way people are built. You should put a link in the description of every video to this video. :)
I certainly agree...Thanks Gulfstream!!
1.2K upvotes, 1 downvote. wow, best ratio i've ever seen!
The Fokker F100 weight on wheels sensor used to fuck up during the winter and you could actual deploy thrust reversers in flight,,,,,,,,,,,,,if you wanted to
That might slow things down a bit...
It didn't end well for a Lauder Air 767 years ago.
Great stuff - thanks. Watching your filed flights recently, I notice that your plane makes a lot of fairly short flights between some of the longer ones. Is that common? Are you and John the only two who fly this aircraft? Enjoy watching your vids immensely. Glad you are doing this.
Jon and I are the only pilots on this plane. The short flights are fairly normal. We have to reposition empty sometimes to pick up different passengers.
Nice to watch as always. Is there a problem if it's the other way around? Nutcracker in ground aircraft inflight.
The toys i play with need also wheel spinup on top of the proximity switching.
Keep these video's coming!
Definitely a problem if it's in ground mode while in flight...that's where the spoilers could pop up when the power is brought to idle. We also have wheel spinup as a backup incase the nutcrackers don't go to ground mode after landing.
Great Info Shaun!!
basically if you don't check that you will stall and drop like a rock. Crazy!
This is really informative. Thanks much.
Very informative! I was wondering for a while. It probably also inhibits your stall warning and switches the engines to ground idle? Never worked with a G4 but I would imagine this light and test is a sort of retrofit after the accident you mentioned. Also wondering why they didn’t design the auto extend on the the wheel speed sensors.... Anyway great video’s! Enjoy everyone of them!
Just discovered your channel, thanks for all the great content. Was about to google this and then spotted the video, great explanation. I haven’t found a video yet on my other question, is there a seat for Francine to sit on in the isle with a belt or is she the proverbial unbelted kid in the back seat waiting to get launched thru the windscreen if the worst happens.
That is actually a new question...we do have a jumpseat (with a seatbelt) for her to sit in. I think I'll do video on that very soon. Thanks!
Thanks for that Sean, it clears things up. One piece of advice though, get some factor 50 on that nose of yours
Hey Shawn. When you are on approach, what does Ref 10 Sink 7 mean? I hear you say similar to this in your videos. Once you called out numbers ref and sink and John said correcting. I appreciate the videos. They are fun to watch!
The "ref and 10" is the Vref speed and is our recommended approach speed. The sinking # is the vertical speed in hundreds of feet per minute. We like to see between 600 and 1000 feet per minute on a normal approach. Anything more or less and we probably need a correction. That's when you hear us say "correcting"
Ah. Thank you!
Cool info
Hey, I finally found the right search terms! I knew I couldn't be the first person to wonder what that call out was about... The other thing I keep hearing is one of you calling "six lights" after touchdown. What is that for? Thanks!
The six lights means both thrust reversers are fully deployed after landing.
I seem to remember another aircraft referring to a "squat switch" which would pretty much have the same function.
My understanding is that it's exactly the same thing
Thanks 👍
Thanks, Shaun. Why is it called The nutcracker? I know aviation has plenty of nicknames for things.
I wish I had an answer to that one...I keep asking around, but nobody seems to know
That’s cool that Nutcracker is the actual name and not slang. 😎. If in ground mode and on short final. Would you carry more speed and once on the ground go to idle and deploy the boards?
If it were stuck in ground mode, we wouldn't necessarily carry more speed. We would just not arm the automatic spoiler deployment until after touchdown.