One more tug option (CB approved)

[Marauder]

I had a hangar neighbor who fell backwards and banged his head hard on the ground hard - straight behind him. He said he saw stars - but luckily no real damage.

I wear those shoe spikes in icy conditions before I go anywhere near the airplane outside the hangar, for that reason.

You had to remind me about them... Saw some yellow foliage last weekend. Hope it was not a sign of things to come...

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[jetdriven]

I had a hangar neighbor who fell backwards and banged his head hard on the ground hard - straight behind him.  He said he saw stars - but luckily no real damage.

 

I wear those shoe spikes in icy conditions before I go anywhere near the airplane outside the hangar, for that reason.

I steer with the tow bar and pull by the prop blade root. But some people here freak out about that. Seems more pilots are hurt by falling than by prop failure.

[DaV8or]

Hank,

You'll love the RedLine design. It has a quirky split piece that expands (twist,twist of the hand tool) to lock it in place.

That part probably comes from an industrial catalog...

Good time to update the beloved already owned tool.

Best regards,

-a-

 

The locking mechanism on the Red Line is the same as they use in bicycle goose necks. I modded my Red Line with a quick release knob between the motor and the drive so it can be easily and quickly broken down.

 

 

I love  my Red Line too. The best part about it is it can easily come with you! My biggest beef with it is mine is pretty useless when the ground is wet. I have been thinking about wrapping the drive wheel with non skid tape like they put on the top of skateboards. Might wear on the tire a bit though...

[Hank]

My biggest beef with it is mine is pretty useless when the ground is wet. I have been thinking about wrapping the drive wheel with non skid tape like they put on the top of skateboards. Might wear on the tire a bit though...

Like everything else, it's all about your priorities. Do you want a Red Line unit in pristine shape, or one that actually works when you need it to? How much does a replacement tire cost? Remember, it's not an aviation tire, check the mower section at your favorite Big Box store (which mostly come in two colors, Orange and Blue. War Eagle! )

"Are you ready for some football?"

[jbs007]

Has any plane ever put like a 3 hp electric motor in the nose wheel? Then you get the plane in/out of the hangar without doing anything.  I wonder if you could STC something like that.

[1964-M20E]

Has any plane ever put like a 3 hp electric motor in the nose wheel? Then you get the plane in/out of the hangar without doing anything.  I wonder if you could STC something like that.

Would be nice get in start the engine and back away form the fuel pump or any other obstacle. 

 

Use a PM motor with the coils mounted to the landing gear strut and the magnets on the wheel it might make the compass do aerobatics.

[Hank]

Just make sure the nose wheel motor is disengaged before taking off or landing . . .

[1964-M20E]

Just make sure the nose wheel motor is disengaged before taking off or landing . . .

good for when you alternator goes out.

[cnoe]

It takes LOTS of electricity to generate 3 HP. If a cordless drill can tug a plane you could likely employ a much smaller motor. Airbus is now using chain-driven mains on their new E-Fan electric plane for taxiing as it's more efficient than the ducted fan.

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[carusoam]

You guys are ingenious!

The portable electric ones work and get stored in the plane.

I have seen some technologies generated here that...

1) automate mixture control.

2) use electric motors to move a Mooney.

3) use electronic remotes to adjust cabin temp.

4) machine metal pieces and smooth fiberglass.

5) proper FAA paperwork to cover it all.

I got a ride in a Tesla yesterday....

What would it take to drive the main wheels remotely using ship's power?

Thinking out loud,

-a-

[1964-M20E]

You guys are ingenious!

The portable electric ones work and get stored in the plane.

I have seen some technologies generated here that...

1) automate mixture control.

2) use electric motors to move a Mooney.

3) use electronic remotes to adjust cabin temp.

4) machine metal pieces and smooth fiberglass.

5) proper FAA paperwork to cover it all.

I got a ride in a Tesla yesterday....

What would it take to drive the main wheels remotely using ship's power?

Thinking out loud,

-a-

I think most of us have too much time on our hands waiting to go fly.

 

I guess if you were going in and out of short fields often electric assist for acceleration would be a great benefit to shorten the takeoff run.

[ArtVandelay]

Electric assist would add to the empty weight and decrease useful load.

[Hank]

I got a ride in a Tesla yesterday....  OK, I'm officially jealous! But I did ride in traffic behind one last Saturday (after he blew the doors off of me and had to stop at the next red light).

What would it take to drive the main wheels remotely using ship's power?

 

 

Driving the main wheels remotely using ship's power would require one of two things: 

1. A drivetrain with neutral for landing, and a way to transfer crankshaft rotation through/below the firewall and cabin then down the gear legs. Note that this drivetrain would need to fold and unfold with the gear.
2. A large generator/alternator to make enough electricity to deliver through large wires to the wheel-mounted motors. These motors also need to be able to free-wheel for landing purposes, then have the drive re-engaged to taxi clear.

Other than that, all you need is to generate enough data to obtain both DAR and FAA approval for the parts, the installation and your ability to manufacture parts that continue to meet their requirements.    Easy peasy!

 

But I hate to rain on your parade. Look how many planes have been built over the years with folding wings. And they all seem to fold in the direction of positive Gs, too. Someone will apply sufficient skullsweat to get around if not over these little bumps in the road.

[aviatoreb]

Seems like a built in tug STC would be a 10,000 dollar solution to a 1000 problem.  The robotow or sidewinder already work so well.

[DaV8or]

Like everything else, it's all about your priorities. Do you want a Red Line unit in pristine shape, or one that actually works when you need it to? How much does a replacement tire cost? Remember, it's not an aviation tire, check the mower section at your favorite Big Box store (which mostly come in two colors, Orange and Blue. War Eagle! )

"Are you ready for some football?"

 

Actually, with the Red Line unit, the modified drive wheel with grip tape on it as I described would wear on the aircraft nose tire. See below.

 

[cnoe]

Actually, with the Red Line unit, the modified drive wheel with grip tape on it as I described would wear on the aircraft nose tire.

 

Instead of "grip tape" you might try the "rubberized" 3M's Safety-Walk Anti Slip Tape as shown below. It's quite durable and is typically used for underwater applications such a treading for dock ladders and such. I've had it stick to treated wood on an in-water stair for years without coming off.

 

It's available in 1" or 2" widths and my local Ace Hardware sells it by the foot. http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1273901

[DaV8or]

Instead of "grip tape" you might try the "rubberized" 3M's Safety-Walk Anti Slip Tape as shown below. It's quite durable and is typically used for underwater applications such a treading for dock ladders and such. I've had it stick to treated wood on an in-water stair for years without coming off.

 

It's available in 1" or 2" widths and my local Ace Hardware sells it by the foot. http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1273901

 

Not a bad idea. I have never liked that stuff because I've never been impressed with it's non slip traction, but in this case it might be an ideal compromise. The rubber on rubber contact might be ideal. I think I'll try it!