Cargo Pod

[skywagonirv]

Wondering who has the best pod and if you had your fuse stripped would you weld on the attach points now or wait and slit the fabric later and put pod hanger on later
Cheers
Rod

[NimpoCub]

No question, learn what points you'll need & do it NOW!
Also lots of tiedown points for your extended baggage. Do all weldments now, and prime/paint them BEFORE fabric.

[Bill Ingerson]

Keep in mind that you may have to slide the cargo pod back some so it clears the bungie cover's if you have them on. Real easy to mount even if the fabric is on the plane. Make the cuts then add some leather around the slit that you run the clamps through. Looks good and works good. The pods are great, if you can, have it sprayed the same color as your plane with fiberglass gelcote when they make it.

[DENNY]

Firmin Pod is the way to go. may want to wait for the NEW larger version call Bob 907-376-7265 ask where to weld tabs also consider tabs for attlee wood rack.
DENNY

[mike mcs repair]

...may want to wait for the NEW larger version ...
DENNY

I see that one at Reeves on shelf for sale, or is there another one coming????

[Indabush]

Does Firman have the fuel/cargo combination pod?

[skywagonirv]

Anybody know which one is lightest (cargo pod only) and is there any speed penalty

[DW]

If your going to weld taps on don't just weld a little tap on the bottom of the longeron make sure it raps up and partialy around both sides of the tube, personally I prefer the stainless clamps easy to install and move if you change to a different pod.

I never noticed a speed difference but some have said they see an increase.

DW

[Ouapetec]

Anybody know which one is lightest (cargo pod only) and is there any speed penalty

The Firman is 25 lbs. While some claim a slight increase in airspeed, I have'nt seen that. But it is sure worth it, I should have put it on way before I did.....

[mike mcs repair]

Was just in Reeves (907)272-8522. Both versions are on sale $200.00 off now.

Pictures of the new bigger one(not on STC yet??)

[DW]

BIGGER!!! I take to much crap with me now.

[JB]

I wonder how much bigger? And how much heavier?

[DENNY]

Mike
That is the one i was talking about. I am not sure how much the new one weights. I have the old one and am very happy with it!! I have big extended baggage for the light stuff. If not I would consider the big one. If I was making money with the cub the big one is the way to go.
DENNY

[8GCBC]

Could be used as a canoe if stranded up river? Pretty roomy POD.

[jtuttle]

Firman is the way to go!! And the all cargo one (especially the new one) allows you to haul those ak bushwheel fuel bags if you need more gas.

[irishfield]

$2300 for some glass... I'm in the wrong business...

[8GCBC]

I shaped and glassed a surfboard ( 12' longboard ) with supplies from Fiberglass Hawaii's retail shop in Honolulu. It was polyurethane core single stringer, S-glass and West Systems Epoxy. The cost of supplies was about $1200.00 .

I can buy a similar surfboard from China complete with leash for $200.00 but, not nearly as cool.

[eagledriver]

Any pilot reports on the bigger Firmin Pod?

[Dave Calkins]

$2300 for some glass... I'm in the wrong business...

Don't forget maintaining a stock of resin, glass, gelcoat, core, door fasteners and hinging, data tags and placarding, that are compliant with your PMA credential. Also, fabricating or purchasing molds, storing them safely, maintaining and repairing them. Certification costs. Consumables used in the manufacturing process. Delivery of the above stuff to Alaska.

[Bill Ingerson]

I have the firman pod, standard size. It took me less than one hour to put it on myself and I had never seen one before installed. Its worth the extra cost to have it gelcoated the right color while in the mold. After getting approval to build them and the cost of labor and materials, the boxing and shipping, the end profit is not going to be that much, besides Uncle Sam wants his share for all your trouble. After installing and taking it on a hour test flight to go for breakfast, I was hoping it was still on and didn't fall off somewhere, I felt no speed increase or de-crease. one of the best mods I have put on. Bob at Firman is one heck of a nice guy.

[TirolCub]

As I know CC is selling this Firman Pod. Is it possible to buy direct from the manufacturer ? Any Homepage advice ?
Thank you

[DW]

As mentioned above call Bob in Alaska I talked with him last year great guy and good price.

[docstory]

$2300 for some glass... I'm in the wrong business...

You're either ignorant of what's involved in production and certification, or you're being intentionally catty.

[irishfield]

Sorry lads it was tongue and cheek.. but I'm fully aware at what's involved in laying up glass, being involved in at one time and living in one of the largest boat building towns in Canada the last 30 years. In fact my Plastics business is currently located in what was Grew of Canada's last facility with us buying their 36,000 square foot facility after they shut down. There's a darn good mark up from wholesale to retail at $2450 for that much cloth and resin and the few hours it takes to do that much glass into a mould... but if that's what the market bares and there are buyers then why not.

[mike mcs repair]

Sorry lads it was tongue and cheek.. but I'm fully aware at what's involved in laying up glass, being involved in at one time and living in one of the largest boat building towns in Canada the last 30 years. In fact my Plastics business is currently located in what was Grew of Canada's last facility with us buying their 36,000 square foot facility after they shut down. There's a darn good mark up from wholesale to retail at $2450 for that much cloth and resin and the few hours it takes to do that much glass into a mould... but if that's what the market bares and there are buyers then why not.

its foam cored composite, If I remember right, not just glass...

[irishfield]

I imagine so Mike... may even be vacuum bagged and infusioned like Clamar floats... which equals no extra resin wasted or unnecessary weight added.

[buckeye]

Guys I was interested in doing the same thing. What is the difference between Firmin and Airglass? Is one better than the other? I'm just interested in cargo not extra fuel. Mine is a ground up rebuild of a pa12. I was going to weld the tabs and cover then install the pod.

Thanks Jim

[docstory]

Those guys at Airglass spend a lot of time in R&D to make their products perform as well as they do. I don't begrudge them making a profit on actual manufacturing cost. It's less than you think though. The aforementioned R&D, along with all the FAA induced costs cut into that profit pretty deeply.

[buckeye]

How much more is the Airglass pod?

[docstory]

From their site:
http://www.airglas.com/FixedWing/Pro...2/Default.aspx

Price:$3,650.00

Specs:Specs:
Pod Capacity: 169 lb
Length: 70.5 in
Width: 24.75 in
Height: 12.75 in
Weight: 27 lbs

Includes:STC for PA-12, PA-14, Custom Flange to Fit PA12 & PA14, Stainless Steel Attachment Straps

[buckeye]

Thanks I see what you mean. I'll stick with Firmin. I just need the tabs now I'll get the rest later on unless can think of a reason not to.

[Bill Ingerson]

Sticking to my first answer on the firman pod. I built fiberglass boats for several years also. The mold cost three or four times in materials to build because of the thickness of the glass to hold its shape and build a platform for it to sit on so its sturdy. He had to make a plug first then the mold off that. Clean the mold, wax it two or three times, spray in a release agent, spray in the right color gelcoat after its color matched to your plane color, that has to be done in Anchorage. Lay in the finish matt then the heavier matt with resin. Then spray on white gelcoat over the finshed parts. Now he has to cut the door openings, add hinges and fittings. Box it up and send it out. Bob even sent it to me before it was paid for, Never see that happen much.
I would say it probably takes 4 days to build one from start to finish, he earn's every bit of what he is selling. Probably clears $700. on each one, I hope more
Then he pays the taxes on that income, the gas for running around ect. Its hard to run a small buisness and make it worth while. The fit was perfect, product was great and his conversation on the phone is priceless.

[Dave Calkins]

I took Wayne's (irishfield) comment tongue-in-cheek.

Didn't know you were in the business Wayne, or I wouldn't have said as much as I did.

MikeMCS.....not foam core. Maybe some "coremat".....and the construction looks like an open layup in a mold with gel brushed on it afterward.

A decent product and pretty much a MustHAVE mod for an -18

[mike mcs repair]

..
MikeMCS.....not foam core. Maybe some "coremat"..

was LONG time ago, when when we were building the straps for him... and getting them field approved for him in beginning.... the original pods were 12 lbs... but grew to 22 lbs...

[Henny]

I bought a Firman pod off of Alaskaslist a couple months back. It was pre-cut for the float fittings, but the seller said he had older Atlee fittings and it wouldn't fit without cutting into the door hinge. I bought it, but couldn't get it to fit. I called Bob and sent him some photos and it turned out I had the same fittings. For a couple hundred bucks above a normal pod price, he took one off the shelf and added an extra 2 1/2 inches or so to the top and gave me all the gelcoat, hardener, buffing compound, etc, to finish it off once I got it fit. A buddy helped me trim it up in a hangar at Birchwood and Bob drove down from Wasilla and spent about an hour helping us finish the trimming, installing the gasket and then measuring for the custom straps it required. I enjoyed working with him and would buy from him again without hesitation. Oh yeah, he's also rebuilding a Cub in his shop next to all the pods and tools.

[Dave Calkins]

I bought a Firman pod off of Alaskaslist a couple months back. It was pre-cut for the float fittings, but the seller said he had older Atlee fittings and it wouldn't fit without cutting into the door hinge. I bought it, but couldn't get it to fit. I called Bob and sent him some photos and it turned out I had the same fittings. For a couple hundred bucks above a normal pod price, he took one off the shelf and added an extra 2 1/2 inches or so to the top and gave me all the gelcoat, hardener, buffing compound, etc, to finish it off once I got it fit. A buddy helped me trim it up in a hangar at Birchwood and Bob drove down from Wasilla and spent about an hour helping us finish the trimming, installing the gasket and then measuring for the custom straps it required. I enjoyed working with him and would buy from him again without hesitation. Oh yeah, he's also rebuilding a Cub in his shop next to all the pods and tools.

Don't call Bob Piatt unless you have time to chat. Great guy!
.......and his offspring didn't learn to fly like that from a daddy who don't know how to fly. This is an active aviation family in the core of Alaska aviation!!!!

[jrb]

What is the weight of the new pod? Taller? Longer? Wider? Does anybody make a carbon fiber pod? Thanks.

[schnell49]

i heard 4" deeper, same dimensions otherwise, optional 30 or so gallons of gas up front-either plumb it or just drain it out to say a red can-that has something to do with the scoop on the bottom--the scoop is built into the mold-so if you do cargo only the scoop will be there, not stc'd, don't know weight....just what I heard.... i saw carbon pod by airglas but don't think it's stc'd yet??