Passenger Loading Handles - Slider Roll Bar

LifeofReiley · #1 12-10-2006, 06:06 PM

I'm looking for ideas to install loading handles for the pilot and passengers on slider RV's, mainly RV7's or RV9's. Anyone have any ideas to share? I've seen some installed on the forward roll bar. My new RV7A QB kit is a slider, and this is a first for me. (slider that is)

godspeed · #2 12-10-2006, 06:49 PM

I bought those two from aircraft extras for the rollbar and they are the best
thing for getting into and out of a slider.. otherwise you or anyone getting into or out of your plane will grab the fiberglass or push up on the armrest
maybe the seatback.. but the handles are very strong if installed to plans..

Danny..

LifeofReiley · #3 12-10-2006, 07:16 PM

I'm going to take a look now... Thanks!

MCA · #4 12-10-2006, 07:57 PM

I've got 'em too from aircraft extras. The nice thing is they go into the roll bar and bolt on the front side, so they are fairly strong for their size. I orginally was going to run some bolts all the way through the roll bar (to hold standard drawer handles), but then you loose a lot of strength. Use them all the time now.

Captain Avgas · #5 12-11-2006, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCA

I've got 'em too from aircraft extras. The nice thing is they go into the roll bar and bolt on the front side, so they are fairly strong for their size. I orginally was going to run some bolts all the way through the roll bar (to hold standard drawer handles), but then you loose a lot of strength. Use them all the time now.

The specs on this product call for a 1/4" hole in the front of the roll bar and a 5/16" hole in the rear. The roll bar is 1 1/4" OD thin wall 4130 steel and I calculate that these holes will result in a loss of 14% of the tube cross section.

In the event of a roll-over it's going to be that tube saving your bacon and it's none too beefy now....taking out 14% of it's cross section will reduce it's capacity considerably. It might be easy to fit (and I reeeeeally like the idea of having handles) but the loss of any strength in a component that could be subjected to large dynamic forces does trouble me.

A steel handle passing right through the tube and welded on both sides would be structurally better in that there would be no loss of structural capacity.

Has anyone used a welded handle.

Kevin Horton · #6 12-11-2006, 03:45 AM

I had two flights yesterday in a very nice RV-7A slider with two of those Aircraft Extras handles on the roll bar. They were very useful, but once I was in the aircraft I concluded that they would be a bad thing to hit your head on in a ground accident. They would do a lot more damage to your skull than just hitting the roll bar would.

BlackRV7 · #7 12-11-2006, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Avgas

Has anyone used a welded handle.

Yep, all I did was go to the local weld shop and bougth something like 1.5' of hot rolled steel round bar. Brought it home, calculated the length, heated up the bend point, bent two 90's and primed. I took the roll bar and handles to a client who does exhausts. He ground the powder coat off the roll bar then welded the handles on. Total cost $3.00.

LifeofReiley · #8 12-11-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Horton

I had two flights yesterday in a very nice RV-7A slider with two of those Aircraft Extras handles on the roll bar. They were very useful, but once I was in the aircraft I concluded that they would be a bad thing to hit your head on in a ground accident. They would do a lot more damage to your skull than just hitting the roll bar would.

Kevin,

Now that is something to consider! Having a piece of steel dowel stuck in the old noggin would probably smart just a little.

Bruce Reynolds · #9 12-11-2006, 09:27 AM

Handles will weaken the roll protection unless welded. When getting out of a slider, there is a great handle already there. Just grab the roll bar brace at the top and haul yourself out. No extra weight added either!

Bruce Reynolds

godspeed · #10 12-11-2006, 11:10 AM

Whatever you used to figure 14% weaker roll bar ? I would love to see the math, welding weakens the metal some if you don't heat treat it afterwards
to realign the metal in the heat effected zone, I am short so hitting my
head on them is not going to happen.. Consider using seat belts ?
I built a slider for that roll bar protection.. tip ups don't have that in the same area, like the tipup / slider debate.. I love those handles on mine..

Danny..