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WurlyBird
Joined: 16 May 2008
Posts: 207
Location: North Pole, Alaska
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 Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject: Another query about towing, front spar supports |
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So due to a horrible case of miscommunication, or a misnomer, I am going to pick up my Kitfox III this coming weekend to trailer it from Florida to Tennessee and it does not have the supports for the leading edge spar. I talked with Debra McB today and it seems that I do not have any where near enough time to order a set. So now I am trying to figure out how hard it would be to construct my own set that would be good enough for a one time tow. I am also trying to figure out out how bad it would be if they did not hold up; ie does anyone tow without them? I plan on limiting myself to 50-55 mph for the drive back so as not to impose any undue stress.
So does anyone have some information on how their wing supports connect and how I might be able to fabricate something similar? Any information will be a huge help, and the quicker the better since I leave to head to Florida in about 36 hours. Thanks for the help.
James
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James
Kitfox 3 / 582 / 70" IVO 2 blade GA
50 hrs on the 582 swapping for HKS 700E and Avid Cowl. |
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vetdrem
Joined: 20 Nov 2007
Posts: 62
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Another query about towing, front spar supports |
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I made a set for my model 3, and have used them for a few thousand miles.
I am near Fort Smith, Arkansas and would be happy to loan them to you for the trip. I could package them up and send them UPS if you cover the cost.
if that sounds good, call me at (989) 387-4662
Louie
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Tom Jones
Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:26 pm Post subject: Re: Another query about towing, front spar supports |
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| Quote: | So does anyone have some information on how their wing supports connect and how I might be able to fabricate something similar? Any information will be a huge help, and the quicker the better since I leave to head to Florida in about 36 hours. Thanks for the help.
James |
These are made from 3/4 X forty nine and one half inch long rigid electrical conduit. You can fabricate them on site to fit the plane when you load it if you have a drill and a hammer.
Zoom in on the picture to see there is a slight bend on the lower end and a small piece of rubber belting to cushion between the support and the wing spar on the top end.
edited to correct conduit size. tj
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Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA
Last edited by Tom Jones on Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:54 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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vetdrem
Joined: 20 Nov 2007
Posts: 62
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: Another query about towing, front spar supports |
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I like the way you did yours, Tom, and it would work good.
I made mine with a hardware store turnbuckle to make adjustments to the length so that I can "pre-load" it slightly. I don't use a bolt through the spar, but I may change mine to add that.
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Lynn Matteson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:06 pm Post subject: Another query about towing, front spar supports |
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I'd suggest using a bolt through the spar with a "crush tube" made of
steel pipe or tube, rounded on the ends to match the radius of the
tube, thus insuring that you don't crush the spar when tightening the
bolt.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062, 600.2 hrs
Sensenich 62x46
Electroair direct-fire ignition system
New skis done and flying
On Jan 13, 2009, at 6:43 PM, vetdrem wrote:
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Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM |
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WurlyBird
Joined: 16 May 2008
Posts: 207
Location: North Pole, Alaska
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Another query about towing, front spar supports |
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Vetdrem; thanks, man. I really appreciate the offer and would take you up on it if not for the post following yours. But I really like what you did with yours. My problem is I would back myself up just in case yours didn't make it on time, so I would already have half the time required to make them invested in acquiring the supplies.
TJ; I am definitely going to copy your idea. I had come up with something similar but I was actually going to use a heavier tube and then make some bolt on tabs with extruded metal. I don't think that could get any simpler then your idea. I will do something very close with lock nuts. Any idea how long each of those pins was?
Thanks for the help and the quick replies
James
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James
Kitfox 3 / 582 / 70" IVO 2 blade GA
50 hrs on the 582 swapping for HKS 700E and Avid Cowl. |
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Tom Jones
Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: Another query about towing, front spar supports |
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| Quote: | | Any idea how long each of those pins was? |
James, the pins are both 4 inches long. The bottom one is 1/4 inch diameter and the top one is 5/16. I made them by cutting the threaded part off of longer bolts. If you use a bolt on the spar, 3 inches of smooth bolt shaft will get through the spar so no threads are rubbing on the spar or spar doubler. You can use a little longer bolt and washers to space between the spar and the double nut.
Tighten the first nut finger tight then hold it with a wrench while you tighten the lock nut. Bolts will work for a one time installation and removal. Be careful putting the threaded bolts in or taking them out of the spar as the threads can waller out the fittings, they are soft steel.
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http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
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Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA |
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WurlyBird
Joined: 16 May 2008
Posts: 207
Location: North Pole, Alaska
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| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Another query about towing, front spar supports |
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Quick update, I was able to get all the parts needed to make the supports as well as fully fashion them in a parking lot. I got long bolts for top and bottom and over sized nuts to use as a pin jig. It was the flat side of the nut that I drilled through to give me a portable way to put holes through the bolt for a cotter pin. All in all it cost about $15 and 30 minutes to make these and they worked great for an 800 mile trip. Thanks guys.
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
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_________________
James
Kitfox 3 / 582 / 70" IVO 2 blade GA
50 hrs on the 582 swapping for HKS 700E and Avid Cowl. |
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