Wing strut AD. note

[Thom]

Does anyone know of a good way to support my wings, so I can remove my wing struts to comply with the wing strut AD. Some have said to use a ladder. I'm looking for something better than that. :roll:

[Crash]

This is how I do it. Cut two 2X4's, one 26.5" and one 65". Screw them together in a"T" shape. Cover the short "T" (top 2X4 layed flat) with soft carpet. Chok the wheels so the plane will not roll. Put your shop floor jack under the leg of the "T" and place the top of the "T" under the N compression strut (between the top spar attach brackets) and start jacking. Lift just enough to take the pressure off the fork bolts. Remove the fork bolts then jack the wing high enough for the forks to clear the attachment bracket. Remove the lower jury strut bolt and lower the fork end of the strut gently to the ground. Punch out the top wing attachment bolt while holding the upper end of the strut with one hand. Now remove the strut from the wing attach bracket. I can remove my struts by myself in about 10 minutes with this set up. Great for rigging changes. Crash

[PA12driver]

Seems elementary, however for newcomers DON'T FORGET TO TAKE OFF THE WING ROOT FAIRING! You will screw it up real good when you lift the wing!

Also measure the Fork length so to get the rigging back the way it was.

Best bet is the new life time struts, one time and it's done!

Good luck,

Tim

PS: Crash where do you keep your 14 on floats?

[Crash]

P.S. I forgot to tell you to cut the top of the leg at about 5 degree angle to match the angle of the wing so you are pushing straight up and not off at an angle. I leave my wing root fairing on and just remove the two top screws. You should not be lifting the wing enough for it to bind the fairing. Lift just enough until the forks pop off the fuselage. The first time you might want to keep an eye on it and loosen anything that seems to be binding. The stock fairing was mainly mounted to the wing and "floated" where it met the fuselage. Some guys add screws here and there to tie it to the fuselage. These would have to be removed.

Tim, I keep the 14 at Firelake. Crash

[PA12driver]

Crash,

Do you know Pete Askland? or Tom Prunty?
What home/lot did you by on Chandelle Acres? Is it in the part Graybill added? or in the original part?

Tim