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04-18-2020, 08:20 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Salt LakeCity
Posts: 26
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Transport to airport advice
My fuselage is ready to transport to the hanger to start getting the wings attached. It is on the landing gear with the empennage attached. I am thinking of hiring a flatbed car tansport to take it. I have a couple questions though for anyone that has already done this for a 14A.
When loading, do I need to worry about the tail dragging on the ground as gets loaded or unloaded? If so, how did you deal with that?
What is the best way to secure it during transport?
Do I need to secure the prop so it does not spin during transport? If so, what is the best way to do that?
During unloading, how do you steer the nosewheel to keep it coming off straight? Do I need a tow bar?
What other issues do I need to be concerned with?
Thanks
__________________
Doug Zetting
Draper UT
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04-18-2020, 08:33 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Midland, mi
Posts: 962
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Is the engine and everything FWF done? Are the avionics in?
__________________
Ken Stockman
Midland, MI
EAA Chapter 1093 member
FaceBook Page: Ken's RV-14
RV-14a (serial number 140073)
N73XP
Plane at hangar and the wings ON.
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04-18-2020, 08:37 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Crystal Lake, IL
Posts: 25
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Transport to the airport
You might talk to your FBO. Usually they have a flatbed trailer that you can use or rent.
Mike Hepperlen
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04-18-2020, 08:45 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Salt LakeCity
Posts: 26
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All of the firewall forward is complete and avionics are installed.
Are trailors wide enough for the landing gear?
__________________
Doug Zetting
Draper UT
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04-18-2020, 08:47 AM
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sherman, CT
Posts: 794
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I have not transported an "A" model, however I would recommend removing the empennage for transport as it is quite wide and you risk damage from road signs, trees or an oncoming oversize vehicle. It's not that big a deal to remove. Check the flatbed width vs. your wheel track, it will be close. Some flatbed are capable of tilting completely flat for roll on roll off ease. Build a nice set of wheel chocks (3) and screw them together once the plane is in place. Strap securely at the wing spar, engine mount and tail. Keep it under 50 mph and I don't think you will get prop rotation. A well padded pickup will transport both wings.
Good luck!
__________________
Jake
RV6 #20477 completed 1991 sold.
RV7 #72018 N767T first flight 11/21/2017 350+ hrs.
IO-360M1B MT 3 blade, Dual AFS 5600 QUICK Panel.
Manual Flaps. (KOXC)Oxford, CT, (0NY0)North Creek, NY.
1941 J3 Cub skis,floats.
2020 dues gladly paid.
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04-18-2020, 08:59 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 492
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I agree with removing the tail feathers. Check with your local EAA chapter, many have trailers they loan out to members.
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04-18-2020, 09:10 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 3,351
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I transport mine some 400 miles to the paint shop and transport it back to the hanger after the paint.
I rented a trailer wide enough for the fuse and built a ramp long enough that the tail does not hit the ground during loading but flat bed tow trucks tilt and it is probably easier.
As Jack mentioned, I would certainly take the empennage off as it is nearly 11' and removing and reinstalling is very easy. A tow bar makes control of pushing a A model a lot easier and you will probably need it for your hanger so it is not a one time use. There is ample places to strap the airplane, gear legs, near the tires, nose wheel and engine mount are all good places to strap them down. It is a good idea to secure the prop but make sure all spark plugs are on and no rope on the way of the prop. your speed probably would not be fast enough to turn the prop.
This is an exciting time and I congratulate you on your last phase of the build.
Safe drive.
P.S. If you have not got insurance yet, this is a good time to do that as well. The coverage covers this transport.
__________________
Mehrdad
N825SM RV7A - IO360M1B - SOLD
N825MS RV14A - IO390 - Flying
Dues paid
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04-18-2020, 09:17 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Salt LakeCity
Posts: 26
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Thanks for all the great advice.
I do have the tailfeathers removed.
I am looking for leads on trailers now.
I am also looking into maybe borrowing a tow bar for now and then purchase soon.
I did get insurance a couple months ago with the transport in mind.
__________________
Doug Zetting
Draper UT
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04-18-2020, 09:27 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Clermont, FL
Posts: 565
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DougZetting
My fuselage is ready to transport to the hanger to start getting the wings attached. It is on the landing gear with the empennage attached. I am thinking of hiring a flatbed car tansport to take it. I have a couple questions though for anyone that has already done this for a 14A.
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I just did precisely this with my -14A in late January. My comments interspersed below:
Quote:
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When loading, do I need to worry about the tail dragging on the ground as gets loaded or unloaded? If so, how did you deal with that?
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It'll depend on the approach angle that the tow bed makes with the ground. You may need, as did I, some lengths of 2x6 to act as extended ramps.
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What is the best way to secure it during transport?
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Strap each main gear tire (ratchet straps are fine) to the trailer while maintaining tension fore and aft. Two straps per tire. That should be more than sufficient to hold it rigid for the journey to the airport.
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Do I need to secure the prop so it does not spin during transport?
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No.
Quote:
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During unloading, how do you steer the nosewheel to keep it coming off straight? Do I need a tow bar?
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Have at least a couple of guys holding the HS down and the nosewheel off the ground. One more guy should be doing nothing but watching the aft fuselage bottom to see that it doesn't strike the ground. I installed my rear tie down ring and kept an eye on that. It briefly came within a few inches of the ground, but it worked out fine.
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What other issues do I need to be concerned with?
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Make sure that you have enough guys around to help. Ideally, fellow builders who'll know what to watch, where to hold, etc. I was extremely fortunate in that my crew of volunteers consisted entirely of -14(A) builders, some of whom came from out of state just to help. What a great community and an awesome group of friends!! 
__________________
Ken
RV-8 N118KB (#81125) - Sold
RV-14A N114KB (#140494) - Sold
RV-14A.com
N114KB Build Site
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04-18-2020, 10:06 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DougZetting
All of the firewall forward is complete and avionics are installed.
Are trailors wide enough for the landing gear?
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Your gear is equal or wider than my 7, I could not find a trailer unless the wheels were under the deck.
I hired a local company with a car carrier. It depends on the type they use, the tilt back and drive on kind may drag the tail, but there is a style that is used for low ground clearance sports cars. It drops the entire bed on the ground, mounts the car then pulls the whole assembly back on the truck. An A would have no issue with that.
Just beware of the upper clearance- tree limbs and the like. The plane will sit taller than a car so the truck driver must adapt. Mine did at the last moment, thank goodness.
Happy hauling!
__________________
Bill
RV-7
Lord Kelvin:
“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about,
and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge
is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.”
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