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Floatplane lift point handles

O

OldRed

MEMBER
Duluth MN
As I was perched up high precariously balancing on my float step while fueling my PA-12 I thought it would be great to have a handle mounted on the lift attachment point to grab. A friend mentioned that something like that does exist but he could not recall where he saw it. It was mounted on a a C-185 or something similar. I was thinking a loop of rope maybe with a clip attached. Has anyone any recommendations? Seems like a pretty good safety item
 
I believe Bushliner makes a knurled handle the attaches to Cessna lifting eyes. It should be easy to make something for Cub lifting tabs. A bolt with some tubing as a sleeve would be super simple.
 
OldRed said:
I was thinking a loop of rope maybe with a clip attached. Has anyone any recommendations?
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Take into consideration the wind whipping around that rope and clip. What damage could it do? How about a bolt on handle which can be removed when you need to use the lifting eyes?
 
I was thinking of the loop handle being temporary clipped on only when fueling, but the bolt on handle seems a better option!
 
For example. 4 1/2” bolt. Add a washer and 2” of appropriate size tubing, put through the lift tab, another 2” tube, a washer, and a nut. Tighten. Done.
 
I don't know what your lifting attachment looks like. So, whatever type of handle you come up with keep it in line with the airflow for minimum disturbance. If it is aligned span wise, it can create turbulence downwind which could effect flight characteristics. I've seen some of the smallest things creating some serious disturbances. Like some wing walk painted on the top of a wing or a paint stripe aligned span wise for two examples.
 
I'd put my middle finger through Cessna's lift eye to ascend, fuel, then descend. Never slipped off the plane. No disrespect to Cessna intended.

Gary
 
BC12D-4-85 said:
I'd put my middle finger through Cessna's lift eye to ascend, fuel, then descend. Never slipped off the plane. No disrespect to Cessna intended.

Gary
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The wing strut was more convenient to step on with one foot on a Cessna than any version of Cub.
 
skywagon8a said:
The wing strut was more convenient to step on with one foot on a Cessna than any version of Cub.
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Yup! One-two-three-four. Foot on strut pad, other on cowl step, hand on lift ring, pull and twist while jumping to sit on top of wing. Then a commanding view of the area while fueling from a can or hose. Today I'd not even try that maneuver.

The ring deal welded to the normal tab on Cubs would work well as a combined hand hold/lifting point.

Gary
 
A simple eye bolt attached through the lift tab hole would work.

Gary
 

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P6030102.jpg I decided to go with this temporary option for now, I had it hanging in my garage looking for a use...
 

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We fabricated a new boot cowl a couple years ago and I considered adding those handles. Although the handles would be handy, we would have had to reinforce the boot cowl quite a bit since it does not have the support structure a Cessna has. Although I am not as spry as I used to be I have no trouble getting up on the fuel step, it is staying up there while fueling that worries me.
 
Today I have to set an unfolded ladder on the floats. Pad the contact points and step on up with can in hand. Ladder has to make two flat contact points and not wobble. The taylorcraft has a nose tank that can be filled w/o climbing, but the wings need something taller.

Gary
 
I was able to open the Newsletter this time. In addition the the information on the handles there is some great information in there! Thanks
 
LUCIFER said:
I know a guy who use to stick his finger in that loop. Stub fell one day, but his finger stayed.
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Grim. I still have all mine from using Cessna's lift rings. But, there's always some way to, ah, become victimized. Perhaps a piece of all thread rod and a couple of nuts to form a T grip would be safer?

Gary
 
My Cessna and Cub have lifting rings. It never occurred to me to put a finger into a ring. Frankly, I rarely grasp the rings. With good fueling steps there’s no need.
 
Steps only are nice when the plane is ice free. Having once fallen off a frosted C-185 floatplane into Lake Nerka, I realized the benefit of having a good hand hold on top of the wing. Habit was to lift and put two 5 gallon fuel jugs on top of the wing, mount the wing, then pour through a chamois filter. The height of the filter prevented elevating and balancing the fuel containers while standing on the steps. Atypical but it can be a challenge.

Gary
 
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