RV loose in the wind

[flightlogic]

We had some remarkable winds at the surface today and I made a tactical error. I chalked the mains and did not tie the plane down while out flying a heavier bird. The RV 9A was sitting in front of the hangar.
When I returned to the hangar in the C210, our little RV was turning lazy circles in front of the hangar. Does anyone know if most nosewheel RV's will **** the nosewheel when pushed by the wind. We don't know how many turns the plane had done while un-attended. The Antisplat gust lock shook itself loose also, leaving the rudder flapping around. I consider the whole event a lucky learning experience... since a steel pipe rail fence was nearby. I sure expected dents and dings when I saw it out of control. Killing the power to the Cessna and running for the loose kitplane was a sick feeling.
Live and learn I suppose. (I did not lose my composure... and I am practicing spelling loose and lose here today... pilots just cannot get that word right I notice.) Cheers....

[RV9A Bill]

Loose and lose, like chock and chalk.

[BobTurner]

Can you be more specific about the failure mode of the Antisplat gust lock? Was it related to not being tied down, or should this be a general concern?

[BillL]

At least the plane was not damaged.

You apparently don't need advice before you advise others, either.

[BABALU]

Originally Posted by flightlogic

We had some remarkable winds at the surface today and I made a tactical error. I chalked the mains and did not tie the plane down while out flying a heavier bird. The RV 9A was sitting in front of the hangar.
When I returned to the hangar in the C210, our little RV was turning lazy circles in front of the hangar. Does anyone know if most nosewheel RV's will **** the nosewheel when pushed by the wind. We don't know how many turns the plane had done while un-attended. The Antisplat gust lock shook itself loose also, leaving the rudder flapping around. I consider the whole event a lucky learning experience... since a steel pipe rail fence was nearby. I sure expected dents and dings when I saw it out of control. Killing the power to the Cessna and running for the loose kitplane was a sick feeling.
Live and learn I suppose. (I did not lose my composure... and I am practicing spelling loose and lose here today... pilots just cannot get that word right I notice.) Cheers....

Have had a problem with the gust lock also. It's seems to work its way loose at times. I don't really trust it in the kind of winds we get in my area.

[flightlogic]

It was a confession.... not much confusion on that point.
On the subject of gust locks... I have noticed, of late... that my gust lock has taken a bit of a permanent bend. It does not push into place a tightly as when new. Been thinking of asking Alan if a new arm could be installed and keep the rest of the parts. The bend starts near where the holes are drilled through...
If I learn more, I will add it to the history thread for Antisplat gust locks.
Cheers... or cheerios.

[Zuldarin]

My gust lock bent a little as well. I noticed the bend when I removed it as I was preflighting my departure from Oshkosh last year (arm wouldn't slide in like it used to). I took a picture planning on sending it to Alan but I haven't taken the time to send it yet. I adjusted it a bit to keep things good and tight and it is still doing a great job. It survived the nasty Saturday morning storm we had at Oshkosh last year so I'm very happy with it. :-)

[flightlogic]

That is about the same place my bend is starting. If Alan made a little retrofit kit with a piece of aluminum tubing (close tolerance) that could be driven down the original tube, it would be much stronger.
I might call him this week. He seems to always like a challenge.
BTW.... one of the vendors here sells some stainless steel threaded inserts to attach the tie down ropes. I have them on the plane... and still had a brain fart today and left it untied in the breeze. My wife should smack me...

[Lionclaw]

Originally Posted by flightlogic

If Alan made a little retrofit kit with a piece of aluminum tubing (close tolerance) that could be driven down the original tube, it would be much stronger. I might call him this week.

Alan has known there were problems with the aluminum tube for quite some time. Mine broke in July of 2013 while the plane sat on the ramp at Maxwell for 2 weeks. IIRC, he told me the aluminum tube was selected for being a convenient size (the ID matches the OD of the steel tube). I ended up invoking his satisfaction guarantee and returning mine despite his insistence on troubleshooting(beta testing). I do not believe this product is durable enough for long-term use.

[judoka5051]

I drilled a hole in the rudder horn and rudder stop, then inserted an AN3 bolt that was bent to fit. Used a torch to heat before bending the bolt. Worked great, and weighs practically nothing!