Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

[mhorowit]

I’m thinking about building a lifting cradle for a wing; something to lift it from it’s present position (leading edge down, leaning against the wall), up and possibly into a horizontal position. An easy job with two folks, but I’m normally alone in the storage facility.

I’m visualizing the floor mounted jigs we’ve discussed previously turned up-side-down with the two jig ends connected by a 16’(whatever the wing span) 2x4. or maybe two simple slings made of carpeting (no, that would crush the trailing edge when I move from the leading-edge down position); in either case, I”ll need that long running support.

I’m thinking the 2x4 could bend and it’s heavy. Anyone have a suggestion of a lighter and stronger way of running that connecting member? The wing is only ~75# – Mike

[crispy critter]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

Mike,
You can buy a wing rotater from Wag aero for about $400 I think,or they sell it as a kit or just plans....it really works great.

[mgold]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

Heavy duty drywall lift you can build or rent. raining here can' t fly. thinking about it.

[mhorowit]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

Mike,
You can buy a wing rotater from Wag aero for about $400 I think,or they sell it as a kit or just plans....it really works great.

Nope; not a rotator;that requires the rigidity of the wing - I want to avoid any twisting. MGOLD has the idea. Essentially a hand truck with a 4x8' back (horizontal) and a 1' lip at the bottom that can slip under the leading edge, moved to the horizonal then somehow lifted, perhaps outboard of the 4x8 sheet of plywood. - Mike

[mhorowit]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

Heavy duty drywall lift you can build or rent. raining here can' t fly. thinking about it.

That's it.
or a variation thereof.
Thanks - MIke

[N96337]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

Just lay it down flat on the floor with padding under it, then pick it up by the tip and put a stand under it, then go to the other end and do the same... works for me all the time alone.
JH

[mhorowit]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

Just lay it down flat on the floor with padding under it, then pick it up by the tip and put a stand under it, then go to the other end and do the same... works for me all the time alone.
JH

Therein lies the rub. In order to move the wing from its vertical position to horizontal, I would be holding the wing by it's trailing edge. I'm concerned that would cause the trailing edge to bend. Am I wrong? - Mike

[Robert Lees]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

Hold it at the rib/trailing edge joint, Mike...that'll be rigid enough.

[mhorowit]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

Hold it at the rib/trailing edge joint, Mike...that'll be rigid enough.

Problem solved.
Does anyone else look for the most complex solution?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

I work for NASA. Looking for the most complex solution is in our job discriptions

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

LOL!!!!! You got that right!!!

My Dad is a contractor for NASA at Ellington field and works on the jet engines for the T-38's. He rolls his eyes everytime one of those young engineers walks in!


Mike, I'm sure they could design a real humdinger of a wing lift for just a fraction of the Cost of an F-22!!!! (oh, send pictures of your final solution.....)

[mhorowit]

Re: Building a lifting cradle for a wing???

(oh, send pictures of your final solution.....)

Once someone mentioned I can lay the wing down simply by holding the trailing edge at the ribs and lowering away, the problem was solved; I'll lay the wing down and remove the aileron while the wind is resting on the ground (padding), then move it back to the vertical - Mike