Maximum Gear Deflection at Bungee Cords

[Grant S. Bailey]

Does anyone know how much the gear should be allowed to travel from the rubber bumpers before the safety stop cables prevent further travel?

I am planning to make up new safety stop cables and would like to ensure that they are set up properly.

[jgerard]

Re: Mximum Gear Deflection at Bungee Cords

http://gallery.taylorcraft.org/view_photo.php?set_albumName=N43643&id=brokebungees2

http://gallery.taylorcraft.org/view_photo.php?set_albumName=N43643&id=brokebungees

Here is a pic of a really sad looking Tcraft in Porterville CA showing the plane resting on the safety cables.

Jason

[Dick Smith]

Re: Bungee cord safety cables

Grant, I replaced my safety cables on my BC12D-85 last year. Made a jig based on the old, original cables. Made it out of a 2 X 6 board about 32 inches long. Drilled two holes 26 3/4 inches apart, that accepted 1 1/8 inch steel pegs. The pegs act as posts to wrap the cable around, prior to installing Nicopress sleeves. The 1 1/8" posts create properly-sized loops in the cable ends, that just barely fit over the oval ends of the pegs which carry the bungee cords. I used 3/16 inch S.S. cable (7 X 19 strand construction)(Flexible). Dick

[lfries]

Re: Mximum Gear Deflection at Bungee Cords

That Sad Taylorcrat in Porterville is still there. I inquired about buying it many years ago (+15) but the repair shop wanted all of their money. At the time the engine was a fresh overhaul. The fabric and covers weren't great but at a reasonable price vs. the shops bill the aircraft might be a little better off today. I can't imagine what the tie down bill for all those years would bring the cost to aquire it up to today.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Maximum Gear Deflection at Bungee Cords

My suggestion is to approach the airport authority and/or the repair shop from the position of:

"Five years ago that airplane was worth X dollars, regardless of how much money someone owed you or not. Today, because it has sat outside and been neglected by YOU waiting for your money, the plane is worth .6X regardless of how much money you are owed. A year or two from now, when the tubes start to rust and the fabric is falling off, it will be worth .4X regardless of what you're owed. At any time during this period, a windstorm or drunk driver can destroy it, making the airplane worth zero. When do YOU think it is worth the most amount of money to you? Today you have a junk airplane and no money, and the plane is worth less money every day that passes. Here's three grand in cash right now plus another two grand for back tiedown fees, and you at least get something instead of nothing. It also gives you back a tie-down space that can generate additional money that you can't make until it's gone."

[flathorn]

Re: Maximum Gear Deflection at Bungee Cords

Yes, Victor Bravo, as a mechanic he's got to know he can't recoup his money at this point, if it's been sitting that long. Practicality dictates getting what he can out of it as soon as possible, if he's not willing to do upkeep. Maybe there's legal considerations there... otherwise it's not practical. Airplanes sure look sad when their bungees stretch.
I bought my F19 in a somewhat similar situation, in that it had been sitting in front of my IA's hangar for 5 years, basically unflown (1.2 hours in 5 years). After sitting that long, he had to replace one cylinder right off the bat (he sold it to me with an annual). I had to replace two more over the next two years. I've still got one original, which is doing pretty well because it gets consistent use. But that down-time wasn't good. And that was only 5 years.

[lfries]

Re: Maximum Gear Deflection at Bungee Cords

One consideration is that there are some who want all of their money or none at all. It's too bad that there are those who would rather allow airplanes to deteroiate instead of letting someone bring it back to life. I appreciate all who can bring them back.

[birdlegs]

Re: Maximum Gear Deflection at Bungee Cords

Bravo; Victor Bravo, I don't like to recall how many great potential aircraft I've watched rot away due to this situation. The Porterville case can be resolved when the lien holder/ mechanic move's for legal possesion, which will entail court fee's and time. And for an aircraft with the net worth of the aforementioned , one can't hope to recover all the moorage fee, and all of the work fee. And so, time and weather take toll. Then watch the one who petitioned the legal system for a ruling, Bitch when the plane won't produce all of the owed monies............. My Pappy tells me Son, common sense just ain't that common.