Elastomeric gear

[wirejock]

Originally Posted by fl-mike

For nosewheel maintenance, I just bolted a plate to the hangar floor under the tail and used a block and tackle to pull the tail down. Gets the nose quite high when you can pull the tail down to a few inches from the floor.

In fact, I used an old door hinge so it flops flat when not using it so I don't trip over it. That and a couple Tapcons and you're good to go.

In this case, I'm working pants and fairings so the fuse needs to be level both ways. I also like tools that have more than one function. Motorcycle lift will be used eventually. The crasle will also be used again to lift the airplane for annuals.
Assuming this works!

[Tcheairs]

I don't quite understand the lateral (i assume you mean roll) issue if you are on a level concrete pad and have 2 large jack pads, one on the left wind root and one on the right..and lifting near the CG point..(unless there's a substantial fuel imbalance)..Are you a 7A or a 7?

In any case I'm planning to use 2 of the yacht jacks when I need to lift my 7A for tire maintenance.

Good luck

[wirejock]

Originally Posted by Tcheairs

I don't quite understand the lateral (i assume you mean roll) issue if you are on a level concrete pad and have 2 large jack pads, one on the left wind root and one on the right..and lifting near the CG point..(unless there's a substantial fuel imbalance)..Are you a 7A or a 7?

In any case I'm planning to use 2 of the yacht jacks when I need to lift my 7A for tire maintenance.

Good luck

Yes. 7A, no wings.
That's the issue.
Tipping in the direction of the slope. Sliding would be a better description. I'm sure the two yacht jacks will be fine.

My shop floor is not level. 1.6 degrees. Not much, but it matters. Lift point has to be the Center Section or from the engine hoist loop. Engine hoist still requires something to keep it supported and level in both directions to work the pants.

I'm a little over protective. As I mentioned, I had a car tip off jack stands and it was much lower. Jack stands just tilted slowly and it landed on tires. My 7A has to go up to 30" to get all three tires off the ground. Thankfully, it's only 2" of lift. Center of mass is much higher. I plan to keep the cherry picker snug until I'm confident it's not going to move.
Belt and suspenders.

[PilotjohnS]

Originally Posted by wirejock

Yes. 7A, no wings.
...My 7A has to go up to 30" to get all three tires off the ground. Thankfully, it's only 2" of lift. Center of mass is much higher. I plan to keep the cherry picker snug until I'm confident it's not going to move.
Belt and suspenders.

So how much would the wheel pants be off if they were aligned with the weight on the wheels? Like 2 knots slower?

Does everyone align wheel pants with weight off the wheels?

Asking for a friend...

[wirejock]

Originally Posted by Tcheairs

I don't quite understand the lateral (i assume you mean roll) issue if you are on a level concrete pad and have 2 large jack pads, one on the left wind root and one on the right..and lifting near the CG point..(unless there's a substantial fuel imbalance)..Are you a 7A or a 7?

In any case I'm planning to use 2 of the yacht jacks when I need to lift my 7A for tire maintenance.

Good luck

Originally Posted by PilotjohnS

So how much would the wheel pants be off if they were aligned with the weight on the wheels? Like 2 knots slower?

Does everyone align wheel pants with weight off the wheels?

Asking for a friend...

Not so much speed as aero. It can cause all sorts of effects. Usually yaw. They have to be aligned to the aiplane centerline. They also need to be level to the airplane or that also may cause other aero effects like heavy wing. No first hand experience. Just what has been relayed from other builders.
My method was a partial failure. The lift works great, but it's difficult to get the fuse level and it doesn't feel stable. I need a secondary method to stabilize and level the fuse laterally. Now I see why everyone does this after wings are installed. Oh bother. Down the rabbit hole. Where's that red pill!

[jcarne]

Originally Posted by PilotjohnS

So how much would the wheel pants be off if they were aligned with the weight on the wheels? Like 2 knots slower?

Does everyone align wheel pants with weight off the wheels?

Asking for a friend...

I have heard of people getting good results with either. Believe it or not the wheel fairings do little compared to the gear leg fairings. I sincerely doubt having it off the gear would make that large of a difference in alignment of gear leg fairings but I did it anyways as that is what the manual says. I do however know of one build log where a builder did it on the ground and got zero adverse effects.

[PilotjohnS]

Originally Posted by wirejock

?..Now I see why everyone does this after wings are installed. Oh bother. Down the rabbit hole. Where's that red pill!

Gotta find a way to do it wings off. Maybe a fork mount that picks up the spar stubs?

I’ll be there in a few months; goota get thru the windscreen fiberglass evil place.

[jcarne]

Originally Posted by wirejock

Not so much speed as aero. It can cause all sorts of effects. Usually yaw. They have to be aligned to the aiplane centerline. They also need to be level to the airplane or that also may cause other aero effects like heavy wing. No first hand experience. Just what has been relayed from other builders.
My method was a partial failure. The lift works great, but it's difficult to get the fuse level and it doesn't feel stable. I need a secondary method to stabilize and level the fuse laterally. Now I see why everyone does this after wings are installed. Oh bother. Down the rabbit hole. Where's that red pill!

Larry may I ask, why are you not using the typically bottle jack method? This is highly effective at leveling in all directions if you use the 3 tie downs. You jack up the wings/fuse and you will need a weight/strap connected to the tail to hold it down. Only down side is everything will still be low to the ground so installing the pants is kind of a pain but not too bad. Are your wings not on yet I'm assuming?

[wirejock]

Originally Posted by jcarne

Larry may I ask, why are you not using the typically bottle jack method? This is highly effective at leveling in all directions if you use the 3 tie downs. You jack up the wings/fuse and you will need a weight/strap connected to the tail to hold it down. Only down side is everything will still be low to the ground so installing the pants is kind of a pain but not too bad. Are your wings not on yet I'm assuming?

Yep. It's 45 minutes to the hangar. If I can do this at home, it will eliminate another hangar task. I think I have a solution.
Two of these to level and stabilize the fuse.
Nice jack stands I can also use for vehicle work.
Mophorn V Head Pipe Stand Adjustable Height 28-52 Inch, Pipe Jack Stands 2500 LB. Capacity,Folding Portable Pipe Stands 1/2 to 12 Inch Pipe Supporting,Steel Jack Stands https://a.co/d/eEoF1wF

[jcarne]

Originally Posted by wirejock

Yep. It's 45 minutes to the hangar. If I can do this at home, it will eliminate another hangar task. I think I have a solution.
Two of these to level and stabilize the fuse.
Nice jack stands I can also use for vehicle work.
Mophorn V Head Pipe Stand Adjustable Height 28-52 Inch, Pipe Jack Stands 2500 LB. Capacity,Folding Portable Pipe Stands 1/2 to 12 Inch Pipe Supporting,Steel Jack Stands https://a.co/d/eEoF1wF

Ah gotcha, good idea to do it ahead of time. Will make it very much so easier to not have the wings in the way. You might play around with a bottle jack idea if possible because you will want them when the plane is done. But either way like you said you can use those jacks for other things too so no worries. I think the bottle jacks you would want might be too tall anyways.