Reno aircraft movement enabling device

[Bob Axsom]

At Reno the Sport class races the RVs that enter ar in the large hangar next to the street that runs by the south side of the airport and there is a no prop turn rule until the plane is spotted on the ramp adjacent to the taxiway a significant distance away (1/8 to 1/4 mile). Tow vehicles operated by the race staff move the planes to the assigned spots. Typically these are tail draggers and the tail wheel is run up an little ramp on the tow bar and it drops into a recess and that is the tow link. That doesn't work with an RV-6A for example. When I was there last year I was not in the race but one of the racers had a structural failure and had to be moved to the private hangar where my plane was being kept at the east end of the hangars and mine had to be moved to the Sport Class Bronze hangar.

When the first tow was completed to move the damaged plane we found two compatibility problems:

1 - the nose gear fairing which has only a 0.75" ground clearance could not clear the tow bar structure to allow the nose wheel to roll up the ramp or drop into the wheel recess without damaging the fairing.

2 - if the fairing was removed (a tedious process involving around 20 screws) the nose strut would not clear the the tow bar structure forward of the wheel recess.

I pressed down on the stabilizer and raised the nos wheel off of the ground and the tow operator backed the tow bar under the wheel and I let it down into the recess. That enabled the long move to be completed but that is not compatible with race operations scheduling, etc. I have developed external covers for other applications and speed mods and I plan to cut a hole in each side of the nose wheel fairing and develop covers requiring only one screw for installation and removal - similar to my fresh air vent covers - to provide access to the axle hardware that people currently use for towing. I would buy one of those tow bars that people currently use, cut off the handle and replace it with a ring or something compatible with the tow vehicle tow connection.

The question is what tow bar is compatible with the RV-6A axle hardware? I want to buy something that is known to work with the airplane and modify it to be compatible with the tow vehicle.

Bob Axsom

[Taildrgr]

You might look into the Universal Big Bogi, PN 04M-BBU, from Bogart Aviation. I just bought one to use with my golf cart to push my Cessna 172 up a ramp into the hanger. I am still building my RV-7A, but the Cessna attachment coincidently works with the RV-7A.
The towbar works great and is well made for the price. Others models that attach to tow vehicles were over $400. Such as the Brackett TH-5.

[Bob Axsom]

Thanks Bob. I entered the mfr, name and number in a Google search window and got to watch a video. Even if I have to modify it there are a lot of positive features. I would have to verify that the "C" width and depth would accommodate my nose wheel fairing and the sockets would mate with my axle bolt hardware and I would reduce the length probably but that looks like a workable option.

Bob Axsom

[Taildrgr]

There is a problem with the depth of the "C" on my Cessna but the width is quite adjustable. I have to hold the front of the towbar up off the ground or the C hits the front of the wheel pant due to the downward angle. The connection to the cart needs to be nearly horizontal or uphill. However the wheel pants on the Cessna look a bit larger than an RV.
Hope it works out for you. It was my cheapest option for a hitchable towbar.

[Bruce]

Bob,
Another idea is use a strap between tie down rings and pull it that way if ground is flat.

[Bob Axsom]

It is flat but I found the folks there to be just a tad inflexible. I planned on strapping the prop but they would not accept that method. With the rigid bar interface they have braking control as well as tow control and steering control. I like your thought on the problem though.

Bob Axsom

[Bob Axsom]

It is made by Bogert Aviation Inc. As with most things modifications for my purpose are required. Drag preventing quick access covers have to be developed for the axle bolt holes, which have to be made in the nose wheel fairing. The towbar needs to be modified to replace the "T" handle with a 3" id tow vehicle connection ring. Must be ready for PRS in June.

Bob AXSOM

[Taildrgr]

When you are modifying the T handle, make sure the towbar is long enough to get a reasonable turning radius on the tow cart. Some of the of the hand towbars are too short and the towcart might hit the prop/cowl even when adjusted to full length. I used to hit my head on the spinner when I used the hand towbar, but Cessna's have a long pointy spinner.
Your solution will definately be lighter weight and easier to carry in the baggage compartment.

[Bob Axsom]

I went through my Reno photos for tow interface details and I only found this one of Ernie Sutter's Lancair Legacy under tow. I have none of the rear of the tow vehicle.

I asked Bob Mills about the length of the one they used for the Sport Class tail draggers last year because we improvised one of those last year to tow mine. He wasn't sure but he estimated 4 to 6 feet.

Bob Axsom

[Bob Axsom]

Called Bogert Aviation. Guess what? They make an replacement for the extension part which they call a Vbar (that looks like a cross - no idea about the "V" derivation) that they provide a choice of a 2.5" diameter ring or a clevis fitting that is pinned to the end. They will also make custom end fittings so I'm having them ship the stock Vbar with the 2.5" ring and a custom 3" ring separately (after they make it). Now watch, I find out the the tow vehicles have a clevis fitting and I have to order that as well (they are interchangeable on the end of the Vbar).

Bob Axsom