Can six people lift an RV-14 fuselage onto a table?

[bertschb]

I'm ready to install the landing gear on my RV-14A but it's sitting on the ground. I want to lift it onto a 35" tall table that is 24"x96". I spent quite a bit of time searching here to see what other people have done to lift their fuselage. Some used motorcycle lifts. Some used jack stands and blocks of wood. Some have ceiling hoists. Has anybody just got a bunch of guys to lift it manually? Is it too heavy for that? I have no idea what it weighs.

I'm thinking of having two people at the rear, two at the wing spar and two up front by the engine mount. Would that be enough people?

This is what my build looks like right now with the table sitting next to it.

 

[AZSteve053]

I'm ready to install the landing gear on my RV-14A but it's sitting on the ground. I want to lift it onto a 35" tall table that is 24"x96". I spent quite a bit of time searching here to see what other people have done to lift their fuselage. Some used motorcycle lifts. Some used jack stands and blocks of wood. Some have ceiling hoists. Has anybody just got a bunch of guys to lift it manually? Is it too heavy for that? I have no idea what it weighs.

I'm thinking of having two people at the rear, two at the wing spar and two up front by the engine mount. Would that be enough people?

This is what my build looks like right now with the table sitting next to it.
View attachment 86708

How are the two guys in back lifting? - A sling under a tail bulkhead ? I think 6 people easily lift if you can figure out what to grab to lift the tail.

 

[bertschb]

How are the two guys in back lifting? - A sling under a tail bulkhead ? I think 6 people easily lift if you can figure out what to grab to lift the tail.

Great question. I was thinking they could put one hand on the HS forward spar and the other under the tail cone. The tail isn't very heavy.

 

[AZSteve053]

Precarious in my humble opinion - reaching in around the leading edges to grab the upper edge of the spar...
I like using a nylon or cloth lifting strap under fuselage just forward of vert stab LE, use a piece of foam rubber for friction - antislip between strap & fuse. 1 Man on each side with cotton non-slip gloves
Other thoughts: an engine hoist & soft strap lifting engine mount, 2x6 through main spar carry through with 1 man either side, place towel on upper wood surface to protect fuselage.

 

[Cessnadog]

Getting a good hold is going to be your biggest problem I hope.
I say that because my fuselage is in my basement and will need to come out in a few months.
I am assuming I can put about 4 or 5 guys on it and just carry it out the double door.
When I put it on the rotisserie it was two guys and a teen girl doing the lifting, but will admit that she has gained some considerable weight since then. (The fuselage, not the teen girl).

 

[Jetmart]

Should be no problem. Two people lifted mine minus the tail being on it. I would think one on the motor mount, two on the mid fuselage lifting in the baggage area and two on the tail. Put the tied down ring in the tail for a lifting point.

 

[rv8ch]

Two on the motor mount, one on the tailwheel will be plenty. How did the fuselage get onto the floor like that? Another easy option is an engine hoist on the motor mount - the tail will be about 50 lbs or so.

 

[Pdp7427]

I used two motorcycle/table lifts from harbor freight. They’re basically a hydraulic bottle jack that lifts a scissor lift mechanism. I had a table made of LVLs and plywood, but I’m sure a sturdy 2x4 cradle/table would work well too. I just went through this but my fuselage was on the table to begin with. Two able bodied men and one supervisor in charge (my wife) were able to move the whole deal out of my basement, onto a trailer, and around the corner to my friend’s generously offered corner of his hangar.

The work bench has 4 casters, one at each corner, that allowed use to glide the whole thing on the basement and hangar floor without breaking a sweat at all. The lifts did the heavy work for us of changing altitude to go over the door threshold and onto the trailer while keeping the workbench level. Side to side stability was the weakest link in my setup but it was actually very stable overall. We moved the entire setup minimally when only on the lifts’ casters, just onto and off of the trailer really and then used the workbench casters for all maneuvering. A couple of heavy duty saw horses keep the whole thing elevated during work and to get the gear on. The lifts were employed one final time a few days ago to drop the table and get the plane on its gear for the first time.

In short, I don’t know if 6 people can lift the fuselage, but two can safely do it with the right tools and planning.

 

[MED]

I'm ready to install the landing gear on my RV-14A but it's sitting on the ground. I want to lift it onto a 35" tall table that is 24"x96". I spent quite a bit of time searching here to see what other people have done to lift their fuselage. Some used motorcycle lifts. Some used jack stands and blocks of wood. Some have ceiling hoists. Has anybody just got a bunch of guys to lift it manually? Is it too heavy for that? I have no idea what it weighs.

I'm thinking of having two people at the rear, two at the wing spar and two up front by the engine mount. Would that be enough people?

This is what my build looks like right now with the table sitting next to it.
View attachment 86708

In my opinion (worth what you paid ), I would remove the tail surfaces. Won’t make much difference in weight, but you won’t need them to install the gear, and you will have less chance of damage.

 

[frankd]

We lifted mine with 2 people, minus the tail. It was not easy, 3 or 4 would be better. I second that you remove the tail as it will just be in your way for the time being.

 

[CF86301]

I would definitely remove the tail feathers, and start thinking about how you’re gonna get it off the table because it’s gonna get a lot heavier when you put the legs on. I’m about to face the same challenge, and my plan is to use an engine hoist with straps through the spar carry through and a guy on the front and a guy on the back. A friend who is building an RV-7A used that technique and it worked out fine.

 

[iwannarv]

Shouldn't be a problem with good hold, 4-6 will get the job done.

I suspended my RV10 in the air to install the gear (solo) with a single work table and engine hoist. Glad I didn't take photos, it would probably make me cringe today.

 

[Bill Boyd]

After reviewing my pics I can confirm I did the same. Up to that point the -10 lived on a low dolly on casters. No tail feathers on at that time; lifted the tail onto a bench and then the nose by an engine hoist with a strap through the mount. It was scary seeing it suspended that high in the air with no landing gear to catch it if it got loose. Slid the second workbench under the belly and lowered it down s-l-o-w-l-y. Easy-peasy - the wife and I did it by ourselves.

 

[mc607]

Plus 1 on removing the tail feathers. I would 100% remove the canopy also. I don’t see the advantage to the work bench. You’ll be up quite high leaning over into fuselage to bolt up gear legs. As mentioned, how you gonna get it off the bench. This is what I would recommend.
Remove tail feathers.
Get it up off the floor and temporarily support from spar carry through, engine mount and aft tie down (screw in tie down ring and brace from that).
Attach a wood brace to tail cone.
Remove engine mount (or use it) and attach wood supports to fwd fuselage.
Now it’s solid on the floor and easy to work on and level, when required. The amount of work on the main wheels and fairings is not that bad in this configuration. Keep in mind that you’ll have to establish centre line to check toe-in, toe-out.
Side note, stick your tail pipe in the tunnel before hanging engine.

 

[Kyle Boatright]

After reviewing my pics I can confirm I did the same. Up to that point the -10 lived on a low dolly on casters. No tail feathers on at that time; lifted the tail onto a bench and then the nose by an engine hoist with a strap through the mount. It was scary seeing it suspended that high in the air with no landing gear to catch it if it got loose. Slid the second workbench under the belly and lowered it down s-l-o-w-l-y. Easy-peasy - the wife and I did it by ourselves.

I did the same right up to the point of the table. I attached the main gear with the fuse supported by an engine hoist and a sawhorse under the tail. Had someone steady the airplane and inserted the first main gear, then repeated for the other main gear. I may have already mounted the wheels, tires, and wheel pant hardware to the gear legs by that point. Much more comfortable assembling that stuff on the bench, rather than assembling it at floor level.

 

[wirejock]

In my opinion (worth what you paid ), I would remove the tail surfaces. Won’t make much difference in weight, but you won’t need them to install the gear, and you will have less chance of damage.

Agree. Remove the empennage. I moved my 7A fuse many times with three guys and several times by myself. I put a sawhorse under the center spar and one at the aft bulkbead. Back and forth slipping in shims till it was high enough. Necessity is the mother of invention?
14 is heavier but shouldn't be a problem.

 

[sansoneservices]

Yes 6 men can easily lift it

 

[bertschb]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Lots of good ideas. I spoke to another builder here at our airpark and he suggested waiting as long as possible to install the landing gear so I'm going to wait a while before I lift it up.

 

[Jetmart]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Lots of good ideas. I spoke to another builder here at our airpark and he suggested waiting as long as possible to install the landing gear so I'm going to wait a while before I lift it up.

Good idea, do all of your avionics install with fuselage on the floor and any additional cockpit installations that you can.

 

[mc607]

Side note, stick your tail pipe in the tunnel before hanging engine

Sorry, meant to say stick your tail pipe in place before attaching nose wheel. Impossible afterwards.

 

[wirejock]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Lots of good ideas. I spoke to another builder here at our airpark and he suggested waiting as long as possible to install the landing gear so I'm going to wait a while before I lift it up.

Rotisserie! Best thing since...

 

[Ron B.]

Rotisserie! Best thing since...

I said it before and it requires saying again. I will never build an RV-14 again without putting it on a rotisserie for the harness and panel installation. It’s a completely different task doing as much as you can, while in the rotisserie. I had mine for three RV-14’s . Didn’t use it for wiring on the first but used it to do all the wiring and panel on the second and it was a treat. You won’t regret acquiring one to do yours ( just make sure it holds the fuselage securely). I was nervous at first but haven’t had any issues rotating.
A lot of the work is completed with the fuselage completely inverted. You just sit on a stool with casters and slide under with ease. Forget something, just slide out. Drop something and it falls where it’s easy to pick up. Doing the work on your back and something falls , you need to get out and search for it.

 

[Ron B.]

Just a couple picture in the rotisserie

 

[bertschb]

I did use a rotisserie earlier in the build. Made me nervous but worked great.

 

[bertschb]

Follow up-

After giving this way too much thought I decided to lift the fuselage today. Six of us EASILY lifted it onto workbenches this morning. Much easier and lighter than I expected! To gain easier access to the interior I plan to move additional workbenches next to the fuselage on either side. They are the same height so it will effectively be like working on the fuselage from the ground. All of my workbenches are on retractable wheels so it's easy to roll things around or lock them in place. This thing actually is starting to look like an airplane now. Looks much bigger up off the ground.

Next up - landing gear! I've asked fellow VAF member and RV guru Scott McDaniels to come inspect my work again and once that's done I plan to close out the wings then mount them.

 

[MED]

Follow up-

After giving this way too much thought I decided to lift the fuselage today. Six of us EASILY lifted it onto workbenches this morning. Much easier and lighter than I expected! To gain easier access to the interior I plan to move additional workbenches next to the fuselage on either side. They are the same height so it will effectively be like working on the fuselage from the ground. All of my workbenches are on retractable wheels so it's easy to roll things around or lock them in place. This thing actually is starting to look like an airplane now. Looks much bigger up off the ground.

Next up - landing gear! I've asked fellow VAF member and RV guru Scott McDaniels to come inspect my work again and once that's done I plan to close out the wings then mount them.

View attachment 88771

Looks great! Glad it is working out for you. One caution: Once you mount the wings, you will spend a lot of time walking around them. You might consider delaying as long as possible.

 

[Mike T.]

Brian, Do you know yet when Scott might be coming over to look at your work? I've already talked with him about doing my "DAR inspection". But he's coming over anyway, I'd love to have him give my plane a look over also, even though I would be ready for another month.

 

[bertschb]

Brian, Do you know yet when Scott might be coming over to look at your work?

Hi Mike

We don't have a date scheduled. I told him I was available any time. We just need to find time in his schedule - and the weather needs to cooperate. I'm just super thankful he's willing to travel this far. It does help that he can fly directly to my house

 

[Mike T.]

Thanks Brian.
I'll be gone for the next several days, but if it can work out where he can visit us both at Dry Creek, that would be awesome.
I added fuel and oil today in preparation to weigh the plane for weight and balance. First engine start coming up soon!

 

[TASEsq]

Does anyone know what height table I would need to get the gear on? (And also to level it to do the gear fairings)? (Taildragger)

 

[bertschb]

Does anyone know what height table I would need to get the gear on? (And also to level it to do the gear fairings)?

If you had a tricycle gear, I could answer your question. Not sure about the taildragger. Sorry.