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My grandpa owned a V35 and while he didn't have a problem with controlling the airplane, he did land it with the gear retracted, which screwed up the bottom skins and the prop. I heard the "doctor killer" nickname several times, but never knew anyone who actually crashed it (there were several at the airport he flew out of).

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They say there are two kinds of pilots who fly retracts: those who have landed with the gear up, and those who will.

I'm currently in the latter category and trying my damndest to stay there, but the odds don't seem good.

just remember to do gumps check everytime on short final

I'm a glider pilot, so I do FUSTAL around when I enter downwind: flaps, undercarriage, speed, trim, airbrakes, look.

Just checking won't save you 100% of the time, though. My partner once forgot to retract the gear earlier in a flight, then came in to land and did the U part by moving the lever to the other position. I think the stripe he painted down the runway cost about $50/foot. Fortunately the repair was great and it's good as new.

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