Ground handling help needed

[Bob B]

Hi Everyone,
I've been using a Bogert and manually pushing my DA-40 back through the 42 foot hangar door. Recent lower lumbar problems (double lumbar stenosis) now prevent me from using this old school method, so I'm looking for an electric power tug that works well with a DA-40. Has anyone had good luck with the commercially sold tugs?
Your thoughts appreciated.

Bob Butera
KLHM
N505WT

[Tal]

Bob,
I can't be more enthusiastic about the electric winch method mentioned previously in this thread.
It works without strain on the plane or on your back! Wireless control a bonus.
Tal

[Bob B]

Thanks for the reply Tal. From where on the airplane is it pulled (point of connection) I would be concerned about stress if pulled from tail tie down point. Pushing fron the front gear has worked up until the back gave out.
Thanks again,
Bob

[Rick]

Bob, I was worried about the strain on the tail tie-down point, too, so before I bought a winch I actually ran an experiment, pulling the plane backward with a spring scale and a rope attached to the tail. I found it took about 35 lbs of force to begin moving the plane, and then 10-15 to keep it rolling. Then I thought about how much force must be placed on that point when the plane is actually tied down during a moderate storm with the tail generating lift, or the vertical stab and rudder being pushed sideways, and I decided to stop worrying about it and just install the winch!

[Rich]

FWIW, I've never pulled mine with the tail "strake" piece but did have it tied down outside for about 5 years. At one annual the shop found it was not damaged but had become loose. So it's worth checking on preflight, at least occasionally.

[Bob B]

Rick,
Sounds like you did a good test as to the force needed to initiate and continue roll. I wonder if Diamond has any test data as to maximum force the tail strake can handle. If it was designed to handle the potential weather forces during tie down, it should handle a controlled pulling force.
Thanks Rick for the info. This may be the solution I'm looking for.

[Bob B]

Hi Rich,
The jerking motion or force during tie down in wind can be pretty severe, and over several years, I would imagine could take a toll on the strake attachment. I'm wondering if a controlled force would have the same effect. My guess is problem not, but would like to see what it was designed to handle.
Thanks Rich.

[Rick]

My DA40's have always sat out on a tie-down until this year when I finally made it to the top of the hangar list. My DA40 survived a tornado in Ohio in 2010, and the Derecho in 2012 here in Roanoke, both sitting on tie-downs. It gets pretty windy here frequently at the Roanoke airport, and so far, no issues with the tail strake coming loose. I can't imagine the winch puts anywhere near the stress on it that it received sitting on the tie-down. We always give it a good check at each annual, though, so we'll see how it fairs this year...

[Chris B]

If you are concerned about strain on the skeg, insert a cosmetic (i.e. weak!) carabiner in line with the winch cable as a mechanical "fuse." Also ensure tension is only in-line with the aircraft centerline. The skeg is much weaker if pulled from the side.

FWIW, I previously used a winch when my hangar had a noticeable lip, but my current hangar entry is essentially flat. So instead I temporarily place 20 lbs of ankle weights on the boom just forward of the vertical stabilizer. This makes it easy to balance the aircraft on the main gear while pulling on the vertical stabilizer, so I no longer need the winch.

Chris

[Thomas]

Bob,
I use an electric TugMaxxe for the D40 since 8 years. It's an easy and rugged German design. it's available in the US now from TNA.
http://www.tna-aviation.com/light-aircr ... del-lineup
Let me know if you need more informations.
See it in action at my DA in Switzerland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx13DALRCs4&sns=em