|
|
|
|
Christopher's Web Site
|
Date: 1-22-2016
|
Number of Hours: 5.00
|
Manual Reference:
|
Brief Description: Landing Skid Installation
|
|
This is something that I have not been looking forward to since there are a million things that can go wrong, and few that will likely go as planned. I have installed these in my mind at least a dozen times. I also reviewed anything and everything I could find online from other builders, and even emailed Safari to inquire as to their standard shop installation process.
I began with the disassembly of all of the landing gear components beginning with the legs at the main frame joints. It is a very tight fit, and there was a bit of surface rust that was making it difficult to separate, but with a little help from a rubber mallet and WD40, all of the parts came apart including the sacrificial skid shoes at the end of the legs. In order to stabilize the cabin while I removed the landing gear, I suspended the cabin using four stools which gave me just enough room to clear the floor for both disassembly and assembly.
One concern I've read on Kitlog was that even with the 1/4” through bolt securing the landing gear legs to the cabin, there is still play and movement with the leg while in the landing/taking off phase, and rattling in flight. One builder’s solution was to drill and tap a hole underneath the collar of the frame and install a 1/4” set screw that will act as another point of contact for the gear, thereby reducing the rattling and movement. I installed the set screw with removable Loc Tight, and secured the screw against the installed leg before it’s 20 minute set-up time.
Regarding the legs, I used a lithium grease on each leg so they could be removed in the future, but on the exterior I plan on using black 3M 5200 marine sealant so no water penetrates inside the metal joints. I want the joints to be removable because in the event of a hard landing, I would like each of the parts to be replaceable and serviceable. I have to assume that the skids and skid shoes are going to need replacing at some point, so that in itself was a good reason not to use an adhesive sealant inside the joint.
|
|
Aligned and ready to drill
|
|
Set screw
|
|
View from the back
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2001-2024 Matronics. All Rights Reserved.
|
