Day 1 was moving everything but the fuselage. Today was that final piece.
The wheels sit center-to-center about 7'5". The outboard U-00002 Wheel Fairing Brackets add some 6" more to the width on each side. A tilt-bed truck seemed appropriate for the approximately 10 mile ride to the airport.
The conversation with the tow truck company was entertaining: "So, I have a question that you've probably never had before: Can you move an airplane?" They asked all the right questions so I had confidence they could do the job. Turns out that the driver, who's been towing cars for more than 30 years, has moved two other airplanes during his tenure. He understood the fragility of the airplane, took direction well and was quite personable.
The fuselage, prepped and ready. You'll notice we secured the prop. This is because my friend, who built an RV-9A, said that his prop windmilled at speeds greater than 45 MPH when he moved his fuselage to the airport.
The plane is first centered properly on the bed (left) then hoisted up with the winch by strapping on to the nose leg (right). One unexpected item: The U-00002 Wheel Fairing Brackets sat about 1/4" above the side rails of the truck's bed. We placed cardboard underneath them to prevent marring of the rails. I wasn't worried about the axles bending as a result of that tight clearance as the ride was entirely on improved roads.
Strapping down the plane. Each gear leg got a strap. No concerns about squashing a brake line. And if one did get damaged, it would have been an easy item to replace.
Nearly ready for the ride.
Off to the airport!
Halfway point (left). Security gate (right). I rode in the cab with the driver and my friend tailed us in the car. It was fun to watch pedestrians and other drivers do a double-take as an airplane sauntered along the streets in front of their eyes. Though many of my neighbors were aware of my building an airplane, a few of the neighbors were surprised at what came out of the garage.
Arrived to hangar safely.
Easing it back on terra firma. Total cost $105. Total time, from truck arrival at my house to truck departure from the airport, 52 minutes.
In its new home. Waiting for final assembly.
The wheels sit center-to-center about 7'5". The outboard U-00002 Wheel Fairing Brackets add some 6" more to the width on each side. A tilt-bed truck seemed appropriate for the approximately 10 mile ride to the airport.
The conversation with the tow truck company was entertaining: "So, I have a question that you've probably never had before: Can you move an airplane?" They asked all the right questions so I had confidence they could do the job. Turns out that the driver, who's been towing cars for more than 30 years, has moved two other airplanes during his tenure. He understood the fragility of the airplane, took direction well and was quite personable.
The fuselage, prepped and ready. You'll notice we secured the prop. This is because my friend, who built an RV-9A, said that his prop windmilled at speeds greater than 45 MPH when he moved his fuselage to the airport.
The plane is first centered properly on the bed (left) then hoisted up with the winch by strapping on to the nose leg (right). One unexpected item: The U-00002 Wheel Fairing Brackets sat about 1/4" above the side rails of the truck's bed. We placed cardboard underneath them to prevent marring of the rails. I wasn't worried about the axles bending as a result of that tight clearance as the ride was entirely on improved roads.
Strapping down the plane. Each gear leg got a strap. No concerns about squashing a brake line. And if one did get damaged, it would have been an easy item to replace.
Nearly ready for the ride.
Off to the airport!
Halfway point (left). Security gate (right). I rode in the cab with the driver and my friend tailed us in the car. It was fun to watch pedestrians and other drivers do a double-take as an airplane sauntered along the streets in front of their eyes. Though many of my neighbors were aware of my building an airplane, a few of the neighbors were surprised at what came out of the garage.
Arrived to hangar safely.
Easing it back on terra firma. Total cost $105. Total time, from truck arrival at my house to truck departure from the airport, 52 minutes.
In its new home. Waiting for final assembly.
