bwilson4web
10-05-2011, 10:14 AM
Hi,
I'm looking at a Viking Dragonfly about 570 miles away from Huntsville so this weekend I'm going for a first look. There are many reasons why this deal may fall through. One critical aspect is I will be asking any foam-and-fiber glass builders in that area to see if they can verify the wings and canard have not had any separation of the fiberglass from the foam.
The plane is +20 years old and hasn't been certified since 1992-3. So I'll have to bring it back via ground and that is my question. Although the only gyro instrument is the turn-and-bank, my plan is: 1) remove all instruments and radio into a well padded box - they will be sent off for rework 2) remove prop and engine - the engine will be rebuilt and/or replaced 3) remove main wing - no big deal
The challenge is the conventional gear is mounted on the front canard so the fuselage will need a support to have the canard removed. So far, no big deal, I'll take measurements and fab a support, probably using the canard attachment points, and I'll be able to move all four pieces as needed: engine, wing, canard, and fuselage. Then I had this 'brain fart'.
My thought is to build a strong fuselage dolly with trailer wheels and bungie spring and trailing arms to the engine mount. Clamp the tail-wheel to a trailer hitch, add lights, and "hang" the wings in padded slings on both sides of the fuselage. Then trailer the airframe home with the engine, prop and papers in the car along with the box of instruments.
I have a licensed, folding trailer at the house and have no problem with painting the dolly frame 'red' and moving the license to the 'dolly/trailer'. Obviously, I've overlooked something but for the life of me, I can't figure out what.
When I get home, the airframe can be stored as one unit while I get the shop ready and start the project. My second choice is adopting a Jon boat trailer. Second hand, they are cheap enough and it wouldn't take much to make it work.
Thanks, Bob Wilson
ps. Photos of the plane: http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/dragonfly.html
I'm looking at a Viking Dragonfly about 570 miles away from Huntsville so this weekend I'm going for a first look. There are many reasons why this deal may fall through. One critical aspect is I will be asking any foam-and-fiber glass builders in that area to see if they can verify the wings and canard have not had any separation of the fiberglass from the foam.
The plane is +20 years old and hasn't been certified since 1992-3. So I'll have to bring it back via ground and that is my question. Although the only gyro instrument is the turn-and-bank, my plan is: 1) remove all instruments and radio into a well padded box - they will be sent off for rework 2) remove prop and engine - the engine will be rebuilt and/or replaced 3) remove main wing - no big deal
The challenge is the conventional gear is mounted on the front canard so the fuselage will need a support to have the canard removed. So far, no big deal, I'll take measurements and fab a support, probably using the canard attachment points, and I'll be able to move all four pieces as needed: engine, wing, canard, and fuselage. Then I had this 'brain fart'.
My thought is to build a strong fuselage dolly with trailer wheels and bungie spring and trailing arms to the engine mount. Clamp the tail-wheel to a trailer hitch, add lights, and "hang" the wings in padded slings on both sides of the fuselage. Then trailer the airframe home with the engine, prop and papers in the car along with the box of instruments.
I have a licensed, folding trailer at the house and have no problem with painting the dolly frame 'red' and moving the license to the 'dolly/trailer'. Obviously, I've overlooked something but for the life of me, I can't figure out what.
When I get home, the airframe can be stored as one unit while I get the shop ready and start the project. My second choice is adopting a Jon boat trailer. Second hand, they are cheap enough and it wouldn't take much to make it work.
Thanks, Bob Wilson
ps. Photos of the plane: http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/dragonfly.html