Becoming One with your Airplane....

Ironflight · #1 07-24-2008, 05:00 AM

No I am not talking about the perfect union of pilot and machine, effortlessly sliding down final for that smooth touchdown when you can't even tell if you've landed or not....I'm talking about those times when your body is formed around the bumps and protrusions of the fuselage/cabin; sharp, pointy things poking you in places that shouldn't be damaged, muscles straining to support yourself in some un-natural position required to turn a bolt, or remove a screw! I had this thought while checking the torque on my landing gear bolts this afternoon (a task unique to the -8 models, thankfully!).

In order to get into the bottom of the gear towers to put a socket on the appropriate nuts, I have to remove the front seat back, seat cushions, and seat belts. Then I pull the pivot bolt from the front stick so that it will lay flat on the floor. I can then slowly leverage my way down onto the floor, my head and arms up where my feet go when I am flying. Of course, in this position, the front seat ramp digs into my rib cage, the seatbelt mounts stab my legs, and with my upper body weight supported on my elbows, it is definitely NOT a position that anyone would consider even remotely comfortable. (Sure, I can take the seat ramp out, but then you have the hump of the spar, and the stick mount is till in the way....). Of course, getting into the position is less than half the battle, as trying to get a hand into the gear tower and fit a socket on the nut is a next-to-impossible task, made doable only with the right assortment of universal joints, wobble extensions, and flexible shafts - an ugly job at best, and enough to make one consider a nose-dragger on occasion!

I've spent plenty of time upside down under the panel of Louise's -6, and yes, that can be difficult - but once you install the right pillows and pads and get yourself under there, it can actually be a cozy and effective place to work. Forget working under the panel of the -8 - just remove the thing and do what you need to do on the workbench! Anyone who has put a center console in a side-by-side has experienced what an -8 driver goes through - and I can't imagine the contortions necessary to get there in a -4....the -3 must be impossible!

So what's your least favorite worksite in an RV? The tailcone can be tough, and baggage compartments shrink as you try and occupy their space. Anyone ever crawled in through the front baggage door of an -8 to free a canopy glued shut by glassing in the windshield? Prior experience as a caver is highly desirable!

Becoming one with your plane means more than knowing how to fly it well - it means leaving some blood and sweat in odd places (the blood offerings don't end when the building ends...), and enduring bruises to both the body and the ego (at times.... Oh, and watch out for those Comm antennas on the belly when you're on a creeper...they can be deadly!

Kyle Boatright · #2 07-24-2008, 05:05 AM

I remember a day when I was working in the footwell of my -6, with nobody else around (l was a bachelor at the time), and suffered a muscle cramp which prevented me from climbing out.

I had visions of the newspaper headline: "Man trapped in experimental airplane dies in own garage.."

That gave me sufficient motivation to escape.

bsacks05 · #3 07-24-2008, 05:51 AM

No matter how well I try to plan ahead, I always end up needing a tool or something after I have finally contorted myself under the panel and have attained an acceptable level of comfort.

And, of course, there is no one around to help.

Ironflight · #4 07-24-2008, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsacks05

No matter how well I try to plan ahead, I always end up needing a tool or something after I have finally contorted myself under the panel and have attained an acceptable level of comfort.

And, of course, there is no one around to help.

So of course the alternative is you bring in a TON of tools, they scattr all over, you can't reach them becasue your arms don't bend that way.....and THEN you discover that you STILL have to get out to get another one!!

Paul

David-aviator · #5 07-24-2008, 07:28 AM

Definitely take your cell phone when "becoming one" with your machine...a good friend got stuck and called a friend for help.

flion · #6 07-24-2008, 08:28 AM

You didn't mention their name. Wow, you are a good friend.

Anyway, I was unable to do the bucking for my tail cone; fortunately I have a petite red-headed bucker. But now that the elevator pushrod is in, no one can get in there. I can barely reach my autopilot elevator servo, the transponder antenna, or the strobe power supply. And when I need to change the batteries on my ELT (or swap it out for ACK's upgrade), I'll need to sling a hammock so I can get in over the pushrod. Under the instrument panel is cake by comparison.

frankh · #7 07-24-2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David-aviator

Definitely take your cell phone when "becoming one" with your machine...a good friend got stuck and called a friend for help.

Thats funny but I bet it wasn't at the time!

Personally upside down in the footwell in the 7a takes a deal of psyching up for me to do!

Frank

CNEJR · #8 07-24-2008, 09:21 AM

I must be on "target" because about all of the above has happened to me.

kentb · #9 07-24-2008, 11:17 AM

No matter where I need to work, under the panel, behind the baggage area as soon as I get into position and start to relax and get to work, I will invariably get a cramp in my side or leg.
Almost never enough room to straighten it out.

Kent

Mel · #10 07-24-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flion

And when I need to change the batteries on my ELT (or swap it out for ACK's upgrade), I'll need to sling a hammock so I can get in over the pushrod. Under the instrument panel is cake by comparison.

And don't forget you must remove the ELT and test it at each annual condition inspection per 91.207(d).