SonexBuilders.net

Hi Guys,

Any of you with the nose wheel and pants. I am getting ready to set up the nose wheel pant and was just wondering if you all take the complete front strut off every time you want to put on or take off the front wheel pants?

Has anyone designed a larger hole with plate or something like that to get the pant on and off?

Seem like a lot of work. It was difficult enough with the engine on there to get the strut on in the first place.

Thanks in avance for you answers and any help.

Peter

Hi Peter,

I cut the back end of the front wheel pant off and then installed hinges on both sides and reattached it. It works great. Others have reattached using nutplates and that looks like it would work well too.

Yes, way too much hassle to take the nosegear fork off otherwise. Let me know if you want a picture of what I did.

Have fun building!

Jake

Thanks Jake,

I would like pics if you don't mind. One picture is worth a thousand words.

Pete

Hi Peter,

I copied another builder's idea and split the nose wheel pant down the side. I fastened a piece of aluminum on the inside and used nut plates to reattach the halves. I'm not saying it's perfect, but I think it's going to work (my plane is not flying yet). Let me know your email address, and I'll send you some pictures if you want them for ideas.

Dave

My email is eppre@aol.com

Pete

Pete,

I emailed you a picture. I have seen pictures of Dave's nose wheel pant and I like his approach as well. Someday soon I will figure out how to post pictures here the correct way.

Anyway, this afternoon I will head to the hangar and work on my plane in fond memory of Jeremy.

Jake

Sorry Jake,

I can't see much in the pic. Do you have any more. Sorry for the trouble.

Pete

Here are two pictures of the wheel pant. One is of the finished product, the other is the primed wheel pant showing the line where the hinge is. I will see if I can find some others. This was not as hard as I thought it would be to post these photos.

Jake