Baby 180
- Thread starter rsrguy3
- Start date
Do you have the Lowe Tailwheel STC that uses teh C-140 gear legs? https://taildraggeraviation.com/lowe-taildragger-stc
hotrod180
FRIEND
Port Townsend, WA
I used to own a C150/150 taildragger.
People like to call every C150TD a "texas taildragger",
but mine was converted using that stc,
it also had their long range fuel (40 gallon) mod as well as the 150hp mod.
Pretty sure that mine had the gear legs that were available along with the stc.
I can't recall the stc number but I believe DelAir in Porterville CA owns it now.
I don't think they are marketing or even suppoorting the stc nowadays,
but they might be able to pass along some pertinent info.
Dunno where you are located,
but I second stewarts suggestion to call Tom Anderson at TLGW in Renton WA.
People like to call every C150TD a "texas taildragger",
but mine was converted using that stc,
it also had their long range fuel (40 gallon) mod as well as the 150hp mod.
Pretty sure that mine had the gear legs that were available along with the stc.
I can't recall the stc number but I believe DelAir in Porterville CA owns it now.
I don't think they are marketing or even suppoorting the stc nowadays,
but they might be able to pass along some pertinent info.
Dunno where you are located,
but I second stewarts suggestion to call Tom Anderson at TLGW in Renton WA.
Cub junkie
Registered User
My Moms basement
David Lowe is the best TD conversions for the C-150's. He's done over 40 of them.
Not the question I asked....
RaisedByWolves
FRIEND
Tx
No but if he owns the stc and has done 40 of them, he would probably be a pretty good guy to ask….
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
skywagon8a
MEMBER
SE Mass MA6
Is this an initial re arch or did they sag and you are putting them back to where they were? If they sagged on their own, I would wonder why.
If this is an initial re arch, what are the STC holders recommendations? Where do they recommend it be done?
hotrod180
FRIEND
Port Townsend, WA
The Tx Taildragger STC was marketed by Custom Aircraft Conversions, then Aircraft Conversion Technologies, then finally was purchased by DelAir.
I don't have the original ACT brochure anymore, I included it with the rest of the paperwork when I sold my 150TD 9 years ago,
but I recall they recommended using their special gear legs as the stock legs made the converted airplane too squatty.
Again, I would recommend giving Tom Anderson at TLGW a call.
I've had this plane for several years. It's currently a trike. I've known about Lowe, del air, and custom air for a long, long time.
As mentioned in previous threads I'm only interested in re-arching right now as I'm not going back to taildragger configuration for
at least 200 hours. When I do I'll be eliminating the Texas conversion for the lowe conversion which, yes I already know utilizes 140 gear.
I know this stuff, what I didn't know was who to call for the gear o/h. I've contacted tlgw... no response, I'll try again. I'm hoping there
is another option out there for re working my gear, if there is and you know of anyone else, then please advise .
Thank you
As mentioned in previous threads I'm only interested in re-arching right now as I'm not going back to taildragger configuration for
at least 200 hours. When I do I'll be eliminating the Texas conversion for the lowe conversion which, yes I already know utilizes 140 gear.
I know this stuff, what I didn't know was who to call for the gear o/h. I've contacted tlgw... no response, I'll try again. I'm hoping there
is another option out there for re working my gear, if there is and you know of anyone else, then please advise .
Thank you
skywagon8a
MEMBER
SE Mass MA6
If your gear needs re arching, it would be wise to find another set of gear legs. Years ago a Cessna 195 was brought into a shop where I was working to be converted from military to civilian use. In the process of unloading it from the truck, one of the gear legs snapped off at the fuselage trapping a person under the fuselage. Fortunately he survived, but it was close. These legs don't last forever, particularly after being abused enough to change shape.
bob turner
Registered User
I think I agree with that. My Decathlon came with really flexible 2000-hr steel legs. I converted to aluminum, and feel quite a bit more secure. I really don’t know if they are stronger or last longer, but I know the guy who designed and manufactured them, and he is a better engineer than I am by a bunch.
skywagon8a
MEMBER
SE Mass MA6
Check around some of the salvage yards for airplanes with relatively low time.
If you keep your gear, get a good non destructive inspection such as magna flux or perhaps there are some other more sophisticated methods available today. Re arching it could further weaken an already weak section.
New2Me170b
Registered User
I know that bird dog gear will go under a 150TD and have seen some done with field approvals. I flew one not too long ago and it head great prop clearance was very forgiving on landings with the 31" ABW. If I had a 150TD I'd definitely be pursuing some bird dog gear for it.
There is nothing wrong with re-arching if done properly, which means annealing, straightening, re-forming, then re-heat treating and of course...NDT, as in Mag Particle Inspection.
The gear legs are most likely 6150 Carbon Steel and heat treated to either 150-170ksi, or 160-180 ksi. Since they've sagged in laymem terms...I'd call that "yielded" so to work harden them further, by over-bending in the opposite direction...simply put, you're risking real money, over chump change.
If it were me, I'd follow the advice of many and go to an approved, knowledgeable, reputable source...that's what you pay for in this game. Knowledge and skill.
(although maybe it'd work to drive a pickup over them, with the ends on a couple 4x4's till you're happy)
S.
The gear legs are most likely 6150 Carbon Steel and heat treated to either 150-170ksi, or 160-180 ksi. Since they've sagged in laymem terms...I'd call that "yielded" so to work harden them further, by over-bending in the opposite direction...simply put, you're risking real money, over chump change.
If it were me, I'd follow the advice of many and go to an approved, knowledgeable, reputable source...that's what you pay for in this game. Knowledge and skill.
(although maybe it'd work to drive a pickup over them, with the ends on a couple 4x4's till you're happy)
S.
