FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
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- CharlesMc
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Re: FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
Hi folks,
Speaking of chocks for the mains and nosewheel with fairings (respective of thread creep), I raided a stash of old highway centerline reflectors pushed off to the side of one of our fine Texas highways that I use for blocking the front and rear of each wheel while parked. They are just the right height to slip under the fairings without scraping the fiberglass and take some serious effort to roll over. And with their color, haven't left any behind in 4+ years.
Attached photo of one of my back ups that I keep in my go bag at home. Rough dimensions are 4"x3"x1".
Charlie
Speaking of chocks for the mains and nosewheel with fairings (respective of thread creep), I raided a stash of old highway centerline reflectors pushed off to the side of one of our fine Texas highways that I use for blocking the front and rear of each wheel while parked. They are just the right height to slip under the fairings without scraping the fiberglass and take some serious effort to roll over. And with their color, haven't left any behind in 4+ years.
Attached photo of one of my back ups that I keep in my go bag at home. Rough dimensions are 4"x3"x1".
Charlie
- TomO
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Re: FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
D.I.Y. Wheel Chocks
An inexpensive solution for wheel chocks are 2” by 2” by 12” aluminum L stock obtained from a welding shop or window firm in white or bare aluminum. Drill two holes and insert line and you’re done for a few dollars.
An inexpensive solution for wheel chocks are 2” by 2” by 12” aluminum L stock obtained from a welding shop or window firm in white or bare aluminum. Drill two holes and insert line and you’re done for a few dollars.
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- Rich
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Re: FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
And it works for parking your plane on the ceiling
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
- TomO
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Re: FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
That’s how we do things in Florida. Keeps it dry during topical storms and hurricanes.
Sorry about the pictures. They flipped and I didn’t know how to fix it!
Sorry about the pictures. They flipped and I didn’t know how to fix it!
- Charles K
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Re: FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
We have these in yellow - excellent chocks.
Charles
KCCR Based
N5WU - 2004 G1000 DA40 40.400, GTX345R ADS-B, WAAS Upgraded in 2021 via Diamond Upgrade Program
IFR and ME Rated - Advanced Ground Instructor Rated
KCCR Based
N5WU - 2004 G1000 DA40 40.400, GTX345R ADS-B, WAAS Upgraded in 2021 via Diamond Upgrade Program
IFR and ME Rated - Advanced Ground Instructor Rated
- dmloftus
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Re: FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
The best idea from an FBO guy in a pinch was to use two 1/2" drive 29mm sockets to adapt his universal tow bar for my DA40. The pins from the tow bar fit nicely into the 1/2" square hole and the OD on the sockets was perfect in the nose gear. He was able to tow the plane easily with his tug.
- Steve
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Re: FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
David:
I had to chuckle at this. I can envision the line guy coming to the A&P and asking to borrow some of his tools to tow a plane. Plus, I doubt that most mechs even have two 29 mm sockets in their tool sets. I have almost every tool known to man, and I don't have two 29 mm sockets! Interestingly, I used to fly to College Station, TX (KCLL) frequently to visit my son while he was attending TX A&M. The FBO there (Astin Aviation) actually bought a set of adapters for the DA40. I asked how many DA40 visits they would see up there, and the line guy said that they got one or two a week at most.
Their fuel prices were on the high side, so I guess they could afford it (but they have a really nice FBO).
Steve
I had to chuckle at this. I can envision the line guy coming to the A&P and asking to borrow some of his tools to tow a plane. Plus, I doubt that most mechs even have two 29 mm sockets in their tool sets. I have almost every tool known to man, and I don't have two 29 mm sockets! Interestingly, I used to fly to College Station, TX (KCLL) frequently to visit my son while he was attending TX A&M. The FBO there (Astin Aviation) actually bought a set of adapters for the DA40. I asked how many DA40 visits they would see up there, and the line guy said that they got one or two a week at most.
Their fuel prices were on the high side, so I guess they could afford it (but they have a really nice FBO).
Steve
- dmloftus
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Re: FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
I actually put that fun fact to use. I built my own towbar rig to winch the plane backwards into the hangar using the nose gear. What did I use for the tow bar adapters? 2 29mm sockets! Not bad for $6 each. It works perfectly.Steve wrote: ↑Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:28 am David:
I had to chuckle at this. I can envision the line guy coming to the A&P and asking to borrow some of his tools to tow a plane. Plus, I doubt that most mechs even have two 29 mm sockets in their tool sets. I have almost every tool known to man, and I don't have two 29 mm sockets!
Steve
- Shodan01
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Re: FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
This thread like many goes down a wormhole of money to spend - Since I am a new owner (soon) I am curious what I need to ensure that my FBO is set-up right. Unfortunately there is a 5 year (roughly) wait on T hangers, I am forced to use their shared hanger so they will tow this in and out. I noticed the nylon spacers on page 1 - I know the FBO uses a golf cart to pull these to the ramp and back - anything specific you recommend or is there a specific question I need to ask the FBO?
- Rick
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Re: FBO to DA40 Towbar Adapter
However they hook it up, make sure your FBO knows they can't bend the nose wheel more than about 45 degrees. It's easy to force it beyond that point with a tug or golf cart and bend the aluminum stop plate on the nose wheel. I've had to replace mine, thanks to an overnight stop where they moved my plane with a tug.
Roanoke, VA (KROA)