Tail weight

[ray]

I need to do a retract test on my 1965 E does anyone have any idea of the apx weight I need to hold the tail down

to jack up the main landing gear?

[Magnum]

My J needs approx. 160-170 lbs. IMHO the J is bit longer, so you might need some more.

[KSMooniac]

The manual says to support the weight on the front end...not by the tail.  FWIW

[ray]

That is what the book said but In later years I think that was changed to holding down the tail. I could be wrong. Maybe

someone in the group knows for sure.

[fantom]

Quote: KSMooniac

The manual says to support the weight on the front end...not by the tail.  FWIW

[ray]

Thank you I thought I had read that some where but was not sure. good info I will ues the engine hoist to do my retract

test.

[KSMooniac]

Gary, no tail stand for me.  I have a cheapy Pep Boys cherry picker (<$100) on the engine lifting ring.  It doesn't take much weight to do the job, either.

[Piloto]

I have a screwed in floor anchor line up with the rear tie down. I keep the tail down by having a 2x4 temporarily attached to the floor anchor and to the tie down ring. It works beautiful for retraction tests during annuals.

José 

[Immelman]

What I have done (outside at a tie down) is to hook the tail tie down chain up with the airplane on the ground -- taught. Then place a jack at the jacking point next to each MLG. the nosewheel will come right off the ground.

 

Then for safety we put a prop jack under the prop as a backup.

My A&P suggested this setup and provided the jacks.

[eaglebkh]

Cherry picker on the engine for me, since the cowling is usually all off at this point anyway.  However, considering the tail holds the nose up during flight, I don't think it will cause an abnormal amount of stress on the ground either.

[N6843N]

 

I use a cherrypicker on the engine but also use a "jackstand" under the tail after I jack it up if I am going to be going in and out of the aircraft much.

[fantom]

Is that a $100 cherrypicker, like Scott mentioned? Harbor Freight doesn't have them, not that I'd trust their cheap equipment. I'll check with PepBoys and Sears.

Storing it in my T-hanger may be problematic if I buy one.

 

[fantom]

Quote: JimR

....The legs on mine fold up so that it doesn't take up much space when it is not in use.

[carusoam]

Tail strength...

Not only does the tail hold everything in balance while flying,  it also holds the tail on the ground during 50 knot winds.

Consider inspecting your tail tiedown for it's condition before relying on it to hold everything in place.

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