Crazy airplane tug idea

SixPapaCharlie

SixPapaCharlie

May the force be with you
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Aug 8, 2013
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First Officer 6PC
Thinking of moving to a non community hangar.

Would this work?
Garage door opener bolted upside down to the floor of the hanger from front to back.


Clip one of those mountain climber caribener deals to the tail hook to push it in and out w/ the garage door opener.


Dad has a bad back and doesnt want to be pulling the plane around.
This (if it would work) would be a fairly inexpensive option
 
Youll still end up pulling the plane around. The garage door idea will only get it clear of the hanger doors. Youll still pull it to clear the hanger and turn it. And then again when you go to park it. Best case scenario you get it perfectly lined up, youll still have to push it back far enough to engage the carabiner tow.
 
How many feet do you need to move yea olde aircraft? Typical residential openers get you about 8 feet.
 
Winch at the back center of the hangar with a remote start stop button to pull it in. Pull it out of the hangar with a car/truck.

Or just push it in with the car/truck as well. Even cheaper.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
Thinking of moving to a non community hangar.

Would this work?
Garage door opener bolted upside down to the floor of the hanger from front to back.


Clip one of those mountain climber caribener deals to the tail hook to push it in and out w/ the garage door opener.


Dad has a bad back and doesnt want to be pulling the plane around.
This (if it would work) would be a fairly inexpensive option
Click to expand...

I have a Harbor Freight electric cable wench at my folk's but prefer the tug.


 
Would a garage door opener even be strong enough? Garage doors have springs so when adjusted properly the openers are only moving a couple pounds of weight..
 
FredFenster said:
Would a garage door opener even be strong enough? Garage doors have springs so when adjusted properly the openers are only moving a couple pounds of weight..
Click to expand...

No. Ever seen the plastic gears in them?
 
How that idea has some merit, Can you get me free flights on the airlines as a comfort animal?
 
tmyers said:
How that idea has some merit, Can you get me free flights on the airlines as a comfort animal?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the only benefits a disabled airline passenger as I see are:

#1 Usually better car parking

#2 If connecting flights are tight there is usually someone waiting at the gate to run me to the next one.

That's about it.
 
Brian, you need to come to 6Y9 this year, it is only 3:44 flight for you, well maybe 4:30 in the Cardinal LOL Would love to meet you and I plan to be there.
 
tmyers said:
Brian, you need to come to 6Y9 this year, it is only 3:44 flight for you, well maybe 4:30 in the Cardinal LOL Would love to meet you and I plan to be there.
Click to expand...

I flew to DeFuniak Spring Florida last month and had a great time but right now the cardinal is pretty much completely gutted and I keep thinking of stuff to work on while its apart. :mad2: I don't care for the annual being due this time of year either so I'm considering working on it till about August - September



 
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The POH of my BO specifically says not to pull on the tail tie-down hook with a winch.
Check out your manual and if it says you can do that, look for a winch rated high enough.
 
I think I went in with around 16 or so in 2013.

And that was a short strip, not a snort strip.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
Thinking of moving to a non community hangar.

Would this work?
Garage door opener bolted upside down to the floor of the hanger from front to back.


Clip one of those mountain climber caribener deals to the tail hook to push it in and out w/ the garage door opener.


Dad has a bad back and doesnt want to be pulling the plane around.
This (if it would work) would be a fairly inexpensive option
Click to expand...

A winch and cable will be cheaper and better.
 
tmyers said:
I think I went in with around 16 or so in 2013.

And that was a short strip, not a snort strip.
Click to expand...

I just departed from there with 60 gallons on board on Sunday.
 
Now, wouldn't this be a dreamy tug?

00C0C_dDPoLDquuQ8_600x450.jpg


Even has a trailer hitch.

$350 or trade for AR15 or shotguns.
https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/grd/5087999953.html

Detroit.

:D :yes:
 
I made one out of a self propelled snowblower, so now it serves dual purpose. I picked up the snowblower on craigs list for $50 and spent about $60 on parts and about 3 hours labor.
 
Problem I see with the garage door opener is if you have to stop it, then it would reverse direction and unwind itself. Definitely would not be strong enough to move an airplane. I have seen people use a tow winch with great results. I would think the best thing for something with a castering nosewheel is one that is connected to the nosewheel like one of those single wheel aircraft tugs.
 
I like the "Sidewinder" tugs as you can load them up and take them with you, but you can't use them with wheel pants.
 
Here's mine. $10 HomeDepot + truck.
 

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You can get a cheap ATV winch off harbor freight for under 200 bucks.
 
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