Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

[jack clifton]

I never got much response for covers or paterns from anyone. Thaught I would beat the bushes again, Jack

[Pearson]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

There is a guy in StLouis that makes them from scratch, $75 a pair. His info is on my laptop and I am not where it is. I will be able to forward info later this evening.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

I'd pay $75 for a nice new pair of aluminum bungee covers.... I'd go through $75 worth of aluminum and $75 worth of single malt just trying to make a set myself

[robbie]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

try this guy $80.00.

http://www.liming.org/aircraftmetalarts/

[Pearson]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

THAT'S THE GUY!!!!! I spoke with him on the phone the other day. Seemed very nice.

[mulwyk]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

Well, I'm going to make a set for my project. Seems like fiberglass would be a natural material for bungee covers. But, is there some reason I'd want to reconsider and make them in aluminum? What's the best? Opinions please!

Bob Gustafson

[crispy critter]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

The guys name is Tim Wood....super nice guy,excellent work! I bought a set from him and they are very nice.

[Pearson]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

Bob,

I put a pair of new aluminum covers on my plane about 4-5 years ago. They are just about due for replacement again because of cracks where they attach and also the safety cables hanging down a little too far. I can't imagine fiberglass covers lasting more than just a few flights.

[mulwyk]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

Thanks for the information, Richard.

I guess the aluminum bungee cover fails in just a few years because of vibration (they are attached only in the center). And you have observed that fiberglass will do the same thing only much faster!

So what's the answer? Carbon fiber? Rubber? Polycarbonate? Steam formed plywood?

Bob

[VictorBravo]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

It's been a while since I looked closely, but it appears that there SHOULD be a spring of some sort that allows the gear to "retract" fully into the fuselage WITHOUT trying to pull the bungee fairing in along with it. Without a spring of some sort, there would be heavy stresses on the aluminum (or glass or plastic) piece. The entire "return" force of the bungees acting against one #8 screw or something like that. The landing gear needs to be able to continue moving into the fuselage (towards the rubber bumper) while the bungee cover stops when the perimeter contacts the lower surface of the fuselage. THEN the spring or whatever needs to allow the gear to continue a little bit (maybe 1/4 or 1/2 an inch) until it contacts the bumpers. That extra hlf inch of travel has to be taken up by something or the fairing will crack.

[Guest]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

Thanks for the information, Richard.

I guess the aluminum bungee cover fails in just a few years because of vibration (they are attached only in the center). And you have observed that fiberglass will do the same thing only much faster!

So what's the answer? Carbon fiber? Rubber? Polycarbonate? Steam formed plywood?

Bob

Hey Bob,

Mine has 3 screws as did the other t-crafts I have owned.

Dave.

[Guest]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

For what it's worth I have aluminum covers on since '82 (or earlier) with 3 screws but cables are safetied into position. Dave

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

It's been a while since I looked closely, but it appears that there SHOULD be a spring of some sort that allows the gear to "retract" fully into the fuselage WITHOUT trying to pull the bungee fairing in along with it. Without a spring of some sort, there would be heavy stresses on the aluminum (or glass or plastic) piece. The entire "return" force of the bungees acting against one #8 screw or something like that. The landing gear needs to be able to continue moving into the fuselage (towards the rubber bumper) while the bungee cover stops when the perimeter contacts the lower surface of the fuselage. THEN the spring or whatever needs to allow the gear to continue a little bit (maybe 1/4 or 1/2 an inch) until it contacts the bumpers. That extra hlf inch of travel has to be taken up by something or the fairing will crack.

Sounds like you have a poor fit of your wood fairing either between the gear or the wood bulkheads behind the gear. You might also check to see if your rubber gear bump stops are installed.

Mike

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

Thanks for the information, Richard.

I guess the aluminum bungee cover fails in just a few years because of vibration (they are attached only in the center). And you have observed that fiberglass will do the same thing only much faster!

So what's the answer? Carbon fiber? Rubber? Polycarbonate? Steam formed plywood?

Bob

Should be 3 screws as already mentioned. I have never had a problem with properly fitted fairings.

Mike

[mulwyk]

Re: Any Bungee Covers Out There ,again!!!!!

Yes, three screws, but none supporting the outer cornors. The bungee cover is basically a flap of aluminum in a high vibration, turbulent slipstream area attached only in the center. Crawl under your T sometime and hook a fingernail under the aft inboard cornor of a bungee cover...moves awful easy!

The center inboard screw seems to be the one that's causing the most trouble. I have 4 examples of used bungee covers here. ALL are cracked around that center inboard hole, 3 of the 4 covers have been repaired in that area and then cracked again.

I think Bill has the right idea: the covers are forced to flex around that center screw every time the gear moves...and if there's even a small gap between the bungee cover and the fuselage you get vibration, again focused on that center inboard screw. vibration=movement=work hardening of aluminum=cracking

Yup. Some sort of spring action would likely fix it.

Bob Gustafson