Access door in wheel fairings

[Webb]

I looked but didn't find anything about an access door in the wheel fairings for routine pressure checks of the tires.

With all the discussion about tire pressure on the nose wheel to prevent an accident, I began thinking that I would like to have an easy way to check pressures on all tires without pulling the the wheel pants off. Down side is you don't visually inspect the assembly each time but easy pressure check would be the upside.

Since I'm close to finishing the wheel fairings, now is the time.

I had 2 thoughts.

#1 - It would be very easy to cut a small door, hinge and back frame it for support with a latch / camlock fastner / placenut & screw.

#2 - Cut a 1" hole like the one used in the front fairing for the tow bar that would allow you to put a gauge/filler on the stem. Faster and easier than option #1 but tight quarters to get the valve stem screw top on/off.

Good ideal - bad ideal? Has anybody done either?

[664781]

Webb,
I did #2 and take the stem cap off with a 1/4 drive socket. No problem...

[erich weaver]

Check out http://www.aircraftextras.com/ - scroll down until you find "valve extension"

works for me

erich

[Webb]

Originally Posted by 664781

Webb,
I did #2 and take the stem cap off with a 1/4 drive socket. No problem...

Where did you put the hole?

I also noticed on Aircraftspruce, Camloc has a 1" plate cover that is spring loaded:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ccessdoors.php)

Not sure I want to spend 75 bucks for those if not really needed but look nice. Could always add later since the hole is a 1 incher.

[Ironflight]

I didn't go with the access holes because I was to lazy to figure out where they would go. It takes me about 30 seconds to get the front half of the wheel pant off - about as much time as I used to spend hunting for the tire valve through the holes on my old Grumman. Using Michelin Air Stops, I only have to check/add air about once every three months or so, and I generally find that I have the front halves off to check tire or brake wear in that time anyway.

It is certainly not as trick as having access doors/holes, but I haven't found that I miss them.

Paul

[John Clark]

...is just as important as tire pressure. A couple of minutes spent once a month can avoid a lot of problems.

John Clark
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

[Rick6a]

Originally Posted by Webb

I looked but didn't find anything about an access door in the wheel fairings for routine pressure checks of the tires......

I installed flush mounted spring loaded Camloc type wheel pant access covers. They are very easy to install using two AD4 rivets and a retrofit can be done anytime. The photo in the link shows INSIDE detail of a cover.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ccessdoors.php

Check around for competitive pricing. A few years ago, I bought a number of them as "new surplus" from a vendor at the AirVenture Flymart for $5 each.

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Using Michelin Air Stops, I only have to check/add air about once every three months or so

Maybe I'm just extremely lucky, but I've been flying since last September and in 70 hours I've never had to add any air. They've dropped maybe 1-2 psi in 10 months. I'm using whatever tires/tubes Vans supplied with the kit.

[L.Adamson]

I put the 1" hole where the valve is in the "six o:clock" down position. I marked the tire with a red line to find it easy. Also use a valve extention I bought from NAPA.

L.Adamson -- RV6A

[Pirkka]

Originally Posted by Webb

I looked but didn't find anything about an access door in the wheel fairings for routine pressure checks of the tires.

I did looked as well...

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=17804
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ead.php?t=2966
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=27685

Hope these helps!