One-Man Wing Rigger - POLL

[Stuart Grant]

First let me say that I haven't put the wings on my RV-12 kit yet, but I am now working on flight controls and it must be done soon. I had a one-man wing rigger for my glider that I used to install and remove 90-pound, 25-foot long glider wings many hundreds of times. With practice it was relatively easy to use on my own.

In theory, having a one-man rigger would allow you to remove your RV-12 wings for easier storage of the airplane and for transport. I have contacted MM Fabrications, a New Mexico company that fabricates riggers for gliders (see photo). They do not now have a rigger that would work for the RV-12 but may be willing to make one. The wing cradle height is adjustable and pivots so the wing can be rotated leading edge down to maneuver the wing around. There are many videos on YouTube showing how they are used.

Instead of a cradle it may be possible to use a padded clamp through the RV-12 wingtip handle. Glider wing riggers usually breakdown into smaller parts for compact storage - like in the trunk of a car or maybe the RV-12 baggage area.

Taking the wings off and storing them on a wing stand may be a way to get 2 or 3 RV-12's into a T-hangar. At one point in my life I used to layout how to position airliners at terminal gates and how Gulfstreams fit in box hangar designs, so once I find some T-hangar plans or dimensions I will see if 2 or 3 is possible.

Rian Johnson expressed interest is selling them through the Van's web store. Based on the price of glider wing riggers, my guess is that the cost would be at least $1,400.

Anybody interested?

Edited to include poll. Thanks Paul! and to show a quick study of what storage might be possible using extreme care and maybe wheel dolly/roller skates under gear wheels.

[Ironflight]

If you want to actually add a poll to your thread, you can click on “Thread Tools” in the bar above your post, then “Add a poll”, and fill in the blanks to give folks choices. Instead of a general discussion, you’ll get actual data from folks on their interest….

(BTW, I have a motorglider “wing-rigger” that was given to me by a previous owner of the same type of glider - he built it out of square tubing, HF wheel, plywood, and carpet. I have yet to try it - have always had some airpark neighbors around when it came time to mount wings….)

[MechaSteve]

I would wonder if a wing rigger for a RV-12 could make good use of the wing tie-down point, rather than hooking around the trailing edge the way these are designed.

I assume the longer chord of the RV-12 would significantly increase the size of the wing cradle portion. Using the tie-down point would allow the cradle to end at about the spar.

It would definitely be possible to mount something directly to the threaded hole, possible even use an installed eyebolt tie-down.

[Stuart Grant]

No talk yet about using the tiedown point but using a padded clamp through the wingtip handles is being considered. MM Fabrication and Van's want to know if there is enough of a market so PLEASE answer the poll. My glider rigger was "homemade" and did not have the ability for fine adjustments that make the wings go in easy. I like building stuff but having a manufactured rigger is certain to make life easier. Glider wing riggers usually have the ability to move in and out from the fuselage along the wing to help balance. MM Fabrication has made LOTS of wing riggers and if there is a market they will make one for the RV-12 that is easy to use and relatively stable, with less chance of damage from wind gusts when used outside.

I would wonder if a wing rigger for a RV-12 could make good use of the wing tie-down point, rather than hooking around the trailing edge the way these are designed.

I assume the longer chord of the RV-12 would significantly increase the size of the wing cradle portion. Using the tie-down point would allow the cradle to end at about the spar.

It would definitely be possible to mount something directly to the threaded hole, possible even use an installed eyebolt tie-down.

[DHeal]

About ten years or so ago one of the early RV-12 builders explored various devices that enabled one person to remove and store the wings. As I recall, the wing was slid out 6" or so, a wheeled tilting dolly was attached the the spar tang, the wing was then pulled free of the fuselage, rotated to a leading edge down position, and wheeled away to its storage site. I believe the description and photos were on this VAF site although I haven't been able to locate that thread. I would be leary of using the top/bottom wing tiedown points for any loading bearing purpose. Also, IMHO $1,400 for such a device seems a bit pricey.

[MLock]

Years ago, when I was the East Coast Rep and had custody of a couple of RV-12s, I could easily remove the wings and move them about the hangar by myself.

After removing the pins, I would go to the wing tip and pull the wing out about two feet. Just enough to let the wing tip go to the floor with the spar still resting on the fuselage roller. I would rest the wing tip on a creeper and go to the wing root, grab the spar and pull it out the rest of the way, pushing the wing rolling on the creeper, holding the spar until over a waiting blanket on the floor. Off load it and get the other one. I couldn't put them in wing racks unless I had some help. However, with them resting flat, on a blanket, away from the airplane was good enough for me. Reverse the procedure to reinstall.

I did it countless times making maintenance a whole lot easier.

[hevansrv7a]

I once had a Moni motorglider and would remove/install the wings by myself. This week, with guidance from an experienced -12 owner, I removed and replaced the wings on my -12.

While they are bigger and heavier than my Moni's, the actual installation is easier. I think a one-man rig could work well except that you'd need two devices and in my hangar, at least, castoring wheels like the front of a supermarket cart so you could move them around well.

The careful part for the -12 was to get the wings right in pitch, sweep and roll, so to speak. It's not hard with two people but for one person it would benefit from some well thought out brackets to keep everything aligned nicely.

[MechaSteve]

A good plan view DXF of the single wing with spar would be super helpful for designing this.

It would be really great if it included the CG location for the individual wing assembly.

Based on MLock's description, it seems like something like a padded low table would be the ideal tool for removing a wing.

My thought would be something like a wing stand, but it stores the wings Leading edge down, and top-to-top as opposed to the more common bottom-to-bottom.

Then, the stand has some kind of fold out surface that lets you pivot the wing flat, and slide the spar in either by rolling the apparatus, or sliding the wing on a padded surface or roller.

[Blw2]

how much do the wings weigh?

[MechaSteve]

Originally Posted by Blw2

how much do the wings weigh?

I have been told about 85 lbs.