|
I have recieved the odd question relating to the transp brackets and inter-connect..any thoughts? At the moment I plan to keep the inter-connect infrastructure but not incorporate it...I am not sure that the extra time/weight/expense would be justified??? Paul Shenton Paul, The transport brackets worked OK for Nigel Marshall, he's the only builder I know who has towed his Pietenpol that way. He said it worked fine but I don't know how easy it was to put the pins in. You'd better ask him. I did the same as you with the auto connect. I made the parts but did not fit them as it seemed too time consuming & fiddly - & I wanted to get flying. I did a retro fit a couple of years down the line just for something to do over the winter. It does work but you loose all differential and I would only reccomend it if you are going to de-rig the A/C on a regular basis. Otherwise, in my opinion, it really is not worth the bother. It takes 2 experienced people close to an hour to rig & double check G-BUCO and thats with the auto connect fitted. Its OK every fortnight os so but not to go flying on a day to day basis. The design is never going to be that convenient until it has a folding wing like the Kitfox or similar. |
|
I was about to begin making the transport fittings detailed on Jim Wills drawings, when I began to wonder if its actually possible to reach them in the 'towing' position to put bolts/pins through into the centre section fittings? Has anyone actually completed them as drawn and tried this? If its not on, then its only necessary to fit one of them each side for the jury strut. |
|
I haven't started building yet, but I am very concerned about the possibility of unseen structural damage resulting from the use of the transportation brackets. My reading of the plans is that the brackets are 28.75 inches apart on a wing panel 158.5 inches long. Any oscillation set up during towing will apply large torsional loads to the centre section and a fair bending moment to the front wing spar. I'm sure this has all been satisfactorily stressed, but the aircraft wasn't designed to take these loads. I shall almost certainly build a three piece wing, but if I transport it, I shall also build a suitable wing cradle (and trailer - I'm not towing on undercarriage I trust my life to!). Regards, Leo Ponton |