Emergency Tyre Repir

[GordonTurner]

Good one!!!

[sonex1566]

When I was building my Sonex, fluffing around with the brakes was when I realised that there was no easy way to jack them up. I took the axles back off and welded a 1 1/2" extension to the inside of the stub axle inline with the head of the 3/4" bolt that forms the axle. The poofteenth of extra drag that makes is made up by the ease of maintenance.

[peter anson]

I have had punctured mains on three occasions while traveling away from my home airfield. If you are prepared it's not a big deal. The squirt puncture repair cans work until they don't. If they don't work the gook leaking out the hole prevents you fitting a patch so you need a new tube. Bicycle tube repair kits weigh almost nothing and work very well although once you open the tube of adhesive it goes off before you are likely to need it again. If I am traveling I normally carry a spare tube, tube repair kit, jack, pump and any tools that I might possibly need. I recently read a Vans Aircraft Facebook group post where someone asked what tools they should carry on a trip. One of the responses was "I carry a credit card with a good limit". From that I would conclude that flying in the US must be a lot different from flying in Australia because most of the places I land are totally bereft of people, let alone someone who is capable of doing any sort of repair.
If you carried the bare minimum of gear to change a tube I think the weight would only be 5 or 6 pounds, hardly a huge weight penalty.

Peter

[GraemeSmith]

Actually - there is another factor here:

If you are running the stock 4" tires and tubes - it is absolutely on you to carry the spares. Not easy to find.

If like some of us you are on 5.00x5 tires and tubes - there is a much better chance of getting spares at most mechanics / FBO's - unless you are in Australia - like Peter!! :-)

And the 5.00 x 5's are just a lot more robust and harder wearing. I'm looking at 500+ landings on the 5.00x5 and there is probably another 400 left. The 4" tires - it they lasted 100 landings I was lucky. I don't mind the extra weight in return for the robustness and better "rough field" performance.

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To the point about a good credit card - I ALSO carry enough cash for a full tank of gas fill up. I've been at some airports where the CC terminal was down but the linestaff could still manually dispense the gas - if you had cash to pay them.

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Jack - Uh - I get on all fours under the wing and use my back to lift it - and slide a box under the main spar to hold her........

YMMV

[Skippydiesel]

I have had punctured mains on three occasions while traveling away from my home airfield. If you are prepared it's not a big deal. The squirt puncture repair cans work until they don't. .........................................From that I would conclude that flying in the US must be a lot different from flying in Australia because most of the places I land are totally bereft of people, let alone someone who is capable of doing any sort of repair.
If you carried the bare minimum of gear to change a tube I think the weight would only be 5 or 6 pounds, hardly a huge weight penalty.

Peter

Hi Peter - your entry to this conversation may remove the need to contact you personally - I hope you read my concern over the reduced accessibility, to what would seem (from your excellent video) the only lift point (axle) due to the installation of leg fairings.

One solution may be the welding of a short, suitably sized (diameter) rod, onto your jack that could fit into the hollow axle - the question is; would it be effective & safe ie sufficient bearing surface and stability.

[peter anson]

I can jack my aircraft without removing the leg fairings but only because at some stage I installed Tracy O'Brien axles. They protrude a little more from the leg fairings so now my Sonex looks a bit like a teenager after a growth spurt who has outgrown his trousers. However, it's easier with the leg fairings removed. The TOB axles also provide a handy jacking point, and incidentally are hollow. What sort of axles do you have that are hollow? My recollection of the Sonex axles is that they are solid and have no suitable lift point.
For the standard Sonex axles I make a clip on hard point which I also demonstrate on that short video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heojvwbljdc

Peter

[Skippydiesel]

I can jack my aircraft without removing the leg fairings but only because at some stage I installed Tracy O'Brien axles. They protrude a little more from the leg fairings so now my Sonex looks a bit like a teenager after a growth spurt who has outgrown his trousers. However, it's easier with the leg fairings removed. The TOB axles also provide a handy jacking point, and incidentally are hollow. What sort of axles do you have that are hollow? My recollection of the Sonex axles is that they are solid and have no suitable lift point.
For the standard Sonex axles I make a clip on hard point which I also demonstrate on that short video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heojvwbljdc

Peter

Yes my axles are hollow (TO'B axles) - hence my idea for a rod welded to jack. The rod would use the hollow end as a socket. I am sure the jack would lift the leg but as the accessible hollow is short, stability/safety becomes a concern.

I think I should send you some photos - have tried to send phots on this Forum - so far no luck.

[peter anson]

If you have the TOB axles you can use a jack with no extra parts. Stability isn't a problem, or at least no more problem than leaving your car jacked up while you remove a wheel.

Peter

[lakespookie]

Its a shame TOB Is no longer producing parts if anyone finds a nice alternative please let me know.

[pilotyoung]

My man who build my Onex made a simple device to jack it up. I am attaching a picture. It slips over the gear leg and then I use a floor jack to jack it up Very simple and very efficient. I don't know if something like it will work on a Sonex.