Dear Martin,
The trailer is far from perfect in its factory supplied form. There are
several modifications which make life easier and less work. You may have done
some of these already so forgive me if I am preaching to the converted:
1 Lower the mudguards on the trailer wheels as far as you can (approx
5cm) - this will avoid the flaps scraping over them when loading/unloading
your pride and joy.
2 Fit a winch to the towbar end - this helps to avoid drama in the last
few inches and stops the plane rolling off when you are struggling to put pip
pins through holes.
3 Fit the two factory supplied plates to the tailwheel groove so that
the cross bolt that the tailwheel rotates around becomes locked in place and
can't spring out when you go over a bump.
4 Develop your own logical order for dismantling the aircraft.
This is how we do it with G-BWRO (using 2 people minimum - never one) again,
forgive me if you have figured all of this out:
1 align A/C to trailer and remove tailwheel speed kit spat (spat
removal takes about 2 minutes - you need to get rudder cables off and take
out cross bolt allowing tailwheel to drop out then put it all back together
again).
2 remove tailplanes (putting them on some nearby soft surface - not the
trailer yet as they get in the way of the winch)
3 one person lifts the tailwheel onto the groove and attaches the winch
to it.
4 first person winches - second holds wings level (by one wingtip)
until flaps are over dreaded mudguards, transponder aerial is clear of
trailer and nosewheel is about to ascend ramp.
5 time to put something under the outriggers temporarily to level the
plane and heave the trailer (not the aircraft) laterally so that the
monowheel is perfectly aligned with the ramp.
6 first person cranks the winch like hell and the second holds the
wings level hanging on to one wingtip.
7 when the plane has gone as far back as it can and the ratchet on the
winch is holding it securely the winchman goes to the front, lies down and
pushes up the ramp with his feet. The wingman then rocks the wings down in
one direction and then the other in order to allow the pip pins to be slotted
in one at a time. Lots of cursing usually occurs here.
8 dust yourself off and put some more props under the outrigger wheels
(toolbox and fuel can in my case) and slide the wings off one at a time. I
put extra padding in the grooves provided for the leading edges on the
trailer to avoid chafing.
9 realise that you have left your car keys/wallet/grrlfriend inside the
aircraft and struggle to open the doors with the wing in its cradle. Also
apply a rudder "lock" to avoid it flapping about in the breeze
10 drama over - go to the pub on the way home and have a self
congratulatory beer
Be careful when stepping over the trailer metalwork - it seems to have
been specially sharpened allowing ones legs to be very easily lacerated. I
also drive like a geriatric with the plane on the back - I try to avoid
trailering it at all as I am convinced that potholes in the road are far
worse for the avionics than any turbulence I have ever encountered. Also -
even if you do become a dab hand at rigging and derigging it is still a
tremendous pain in the backside to do and I would recommend only doing it
when absolutely necessary - i:e for servicing in the comfort of your garage
etc... and being pretty selective about who you choose to help you do it.
Hope this is of use to you,
Cheers
James McDiarmid G-BWRO
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