New Aircraft Dolly

Hey All,

It has been finished for over a month, and I have been using it very successfully since. Take a look at the photos... it looks fantastic.

Here is what I did, and how I came up with this design concept:

I needed a way to move my plane in and out of my hanger by my self. Simple, you say. No, not exactly... lifting the tail boom all the time, and maneuvering the plane around was very rough on my back, and at my age... unsafe.  So... I started looking at standard trailer dollies on Amazon as possibilities.  There were many types.... and much cheaper than a standard aircraft dolly from Spruce Specialties. I decided on the more expensive 3-wheel dolly. It promised more stability, standing on it's own, attached to the plane.  It obviously came with a trailer ball attached to the extension.  I thought about it, tried to make it work (in theory)... no go. That's when I knew I had to design in CAD an adaptive system to the dolly to make it work for towing a plane.  I spent weeks, and weeks redrawing a concept that would be safe for me, and do the job it was meant to do.  I printed drawings of my designs, and asked a local fabrication shop if they would they would be interested in making my new adaptations to the trailer dolly for me.  They readily agreed, and took it as a challenge.  They even came up with a few minor changes to help the over all design.  After all the raw materials were cut, and welded in place, meeting with me for final approval... they gave it back to me... ready to use. Painted and everything.

Wow, it works beautifully, and is very safe for one person to use.  I needed an extra 5 or so pounds in the aft section for weight and balance issues... so I had them make the mounting collar, that stays mounted on the plane out of steel, instead of aluminum. I also had them add a kick-stand to keep the dolly from tipping forward when left unattended by me, and someone in the shop accidentally bumped the handle upwards, causing the handle to slam up into the elevator.  They came up with a cheap solution.  A height adjustable bicycle kick stand. Marvelous.  They welded on a tab to the dolly for mounting the kick stand... works like a charm!

If anyone wants one made for their pusher type plane... let me know.  I'm sure we can work out something reasonable for a cost (no profit for me).

More Later,

John

Latest Update

Hi Everyone,

Been quite a while since my last posting.  I just added new photos pages 15 thru 21.

Tremendous Progress!

Hi Everyone,

John Carmen and I have made a great deal of progress in the last 3 weeks. Most all of the electrical and avionics installations are finished now. Clean up and wire wrapping still left to be done.  A little more engine work still to do, as well as the final install on the Dynon AOA Pitot. Waiting on one last air fitting for that.

Wing tip Nav/Strobe light system installed, and installed the wing tips finally.

The right elevator with the new electric servo controlled trim tab being worked on presently.

I have done all the programming I can do for now on the new GRT Sport SX EFIS and GRT EIS, until a few more systems go online.

Microline radio tested... it is perfect.

New ELT tested, and all is OK.

All in All... I am super pleased with the progress to date.  I expect first engine start in 2 weeks for testing purposes.

More progress reports over the next week...

Panel Update 6/25/16

Great News Yesterday.... John Carmen and I powered up my new GRT Sport SX panel yesterday afternoon. Everything went according to plan.  No hits, no runs, no errors... and no smoke.  The new GRT powered up beautifully, and correctly the first time out of the gate.

Congratulations to John Carmen... for a job most excellently done on all the amazing wiring he accomplished over the preceeding days.  All the checks, re-checks etc... I am VERY proud of my new system.

We set the panel in a chair outside the airframe to make it easier for me to spend hours in front of the panel doing all the necessary programming.  I am already 2 hours into the familiarization, and programming process, and all is going well.

I will post several photos in a new photo page to be uploaded in a few minutes.

More Wiring Completed

John Carmen came over yesterday, and today, completed a lot of electrical wiring in the Avionics Bay, and Sub-Panel. I know it looks a mess... but consider John still has several more connects to make on some equipment... then it's down to cleaning up the area, and securing all the wiring with the proper protective wire sleeves.  Please view page 14 of the construction photos for more.

Panel Update Page Edited

I had to edit the previously posted Panel Update page with some important edits. My on/off again OCD shows thru sometimes.... sorry about that.  I'm an engineer... we go back and change everything at the drop of a hat.... right? <G>

New Photo Pages Added 6/16/16

I added new photo pages today.  New Construction Pages 11, 12, 13.  Also added General Photo Pages 1 & 2.  ENJOY! I know I did <G>

New Avionics Bay Deck Installed!

Hi Everyone,

John Carmen spent several hours today while I was at work, working hard on my plane doing the initial install of her Avionics Deck. This is why I work only with the BEST! John expertly started the final wiring phase of the project today wiring-up and connecting all the numerous electronic and electrical equipment in the new avionics bay.  He will be doing some cleaning-up, and securing all the newly installed wiring. He will be back in a few days to continue with the wiring. Below is shown a preview of the work he did today.  I will be posting tomorrow night 51 photos I took in and around the plane this afternoon.

Equipment List Update

Added many many new items to the growing list at the bottom of this blog.  Most entries are listing the numerous fabrication of custom parts and labor that has, or will be completed on this project. I am in awe of the number of items on that list. And it will grow even more before the project is completed.  For example... all the EFIS, EIS and Engine software setups and systems testing to mention just a few. Then of course there are all the in-flight setups as well for AOA and other EFIS/EIS software systems.  The list is generated as I think of the items... not in any particular order of completion.

I will of course, be self-imposing a rigorous non-offical Phase-One testing program starting with the first flight after project completion. If anyone is willing to share their own phase-one testing list to help to help me formulate my own... it would be greatly appreciated.  Please email me direct.

New Electronics, and Equipment List

I have added at the bottom of this Blog a "Running" List of all the electronics, electrical equipment, and labor upgrades contained so far in my "Little" upgrade project.  The list will continue to grow a little . I will be adding other equipment upgrades a short while later... Such as:  Mode S Transponder, Electric Flaps w/controller, HITS, Video Camera and 2-Axis Auto-Pilot.  I will re-edit the list with manufacturer names later where needed. I purposely have not indicated total cost of my project to date... it's too embarrissing; the obscene amount I am investing in this plane. And YES.... I plan on keeping this plane a while. <G>