Have you created anything "home-made" for your plane? (or a low cost alternative?)

As a new pilot and new owner of a cessna 172, I've noticed the
seeimingly unlimited amount of accessories available for my plane. Most
seem to have one thing in common - a high price tag.

I was wondering if anyone reading this thread would share information
on any devices that are perhaps homemade or are low cost alternatives
to items available in aviation catalogs.

I guess this would include anything from pilot -assist devices to low
cost alternatives to lighting, interior upholstery, and the like.

Thanks in advance for any input you may offer.

Andy.

I was wondering if anyone reading this thread would share information
on any devices that are perhaps homemade or are low cost alternatives
to items available in aviation catalogs.

Wheel Chocks. Go to your local hardware store and purchase a three-foot
length of whatever size angle iron you find sufficient. Cut into 8-inch
lengthes. Paint them a bright color, attach red ribbon and bungie cord.
Stow them in the baggage compartment or under the pilot seat for easy
access.

Do you use grass airstrips? Are you going to AirVenture?
Cut three 1-foot x 1-foot squares of marine plywood (not particle board)
of one-inch thickness. Stop just short of where you park the airplane.
Climb out, pull out the boards, place them ahead of each wheel. With
help, pull the airplanes wheels onto the plywood. When you are ready to
leave, pull the airplane off the plywood and stow them away for the next
use. This prevents yours wheels form sinking into the ground and
requiring high engine power to pull the airplane free from the ruts.
Montblanc may be selling them at the R.A.P gathering this summer at
AirVenture.

Instead of angle "iron" use aluminum. It's lighter.

I made a nifty glare shield cover out of "runner" carpet. I was tired
of looking at the 40 yr old stuff that was very sun-baked. It just lays
over the top. I cut holes for the defroster, avionics vent and compass.

I bought a little plastic box with a cover for the cargo area to hold
the afore-mentioned chocks, rags, oil, Pledge, etc.

Al
1964 Skyhawk
Spokane, WA

john smith wrote:
I was wondering if anyone reading this thread would share information
on any devices that are perhaps homemade or are low cost alternatives
to items available in aviation catalogs.


Wheel Chocks. Go to your local hardware store and purchase a three-foot
length of whatever size angle iron you find sufficient. Cut into 8-inch
lengthes. Paint them a bright color, attach red ribbon and bungie cord.
Stow them in the baggage compartment or under the pilot seat for easy
access.

Do you use grass airstrips? Are you going to AirVenture?
Cut three 1-foot x 1-foot squares of marine plywood (not particle board)
of one-inch thickness. Stop just short of where you park the airplane.
Climb out, pull out the boards, place them ahead of each wheel. With
help, pull the airplanes wheels onto the plywood. When you are ready to
leave, pull the airplane off the plywood and stow them away for the next
use. This prevents yours wheels form sinking into the ground and
requiring high engine power to pull the airplane free from the ruts.
Montblanc may be selling them at the R.A.P gathering this summer at
AirVenture.

Instead of aluminum, use PVC water pipe. It's lighter yet and can be worked
with simple tools.

Jim



"Al Gilson" wrote in message
. ..


Instead of angle "iron" use aluminum. It's lighter.

Instead of angle "iron" use aluminum. It's lighter.

Instead of aluminum, use PVC water pipe. It's lighter yet and can be worked
with simple tools.

Jim, does the PVC provide any/sufficient friction to prevent the wheels
from rolling on a slope?

Use two different diameters, say a 2 1/2" and a 3", cut in half lengthwise.
Use one of each per set, they'll stack inside each other that way. As far
as friction, the tire should put enough down pressure against the top of the
arch so that the cut edges dig in sufficiently, if not, a smaller diameter
may work better.

Jim Burns

"john smith" wrote in message
...
Instead of angle "iron" use aluminum. It's lighter.

Instead of aluminum, use PVC water pipe. It's lighter yet and can be
worked
with simple tools.

Jim, does the PVC provide any/sufficient friction to prevent the wheels
from rolling on a slope?

On Sun, 9 Apr 2006 09:06:54 -0700, "RST Engineering"
wrote:

Instead of aluminum, use PVC water pipe. It's lighter yet and can be worked
with simple tools.

Jim


And you glue the edges or run a bolt thru both diameters? maybe a 1/2"
above ground level? - Mike

("john smith" wrote)
Do you use grass airstrips? Are you going to AirVenture?
Cut three 1-foot x 1-foot squares of marine plywood (not particle board)
of one-inch thickness. Stop just short of where you park the airplane.
Climb out, pull out the boards, place them ahead of each wheel. With
help, pull the airplanes wheels onto the plywood. When you are ready to
leave, pull the airplane off the plywood and stow them away for the next
use. This prevents yours wheels form sinking into the ground and
requiring high engine power to pull the airplane free from the ruts.
Montblanc may be selling them at the R.A.P gathering this summer at
AirVenture.


1-ft x 1-ft square was found to be somewhat ...ungood. I would recommend at
least 1-ft x 18 inches.

I'll have to start saving scraps of plywood. For long term use, marine
plyw$$d is great! For one week at OSH ...we'll see what I find.

Cost? Free.


Montblack

I'll have to start saving scraps of plywood. For long term use, marine
plyw$$d is great! For one week at OSH ...we'll see what I find.

Cost? Free.


Montblack
Dibs on the first pair! Um...along with assorted camping gear. No
lumpy pillows please? Does the plywood come with N-numbers stenciled
on? In matching colors? Remember, no lumpy pillows. :-)


--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane
Arrow N2104T

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

I'll have to start saving scraps of plywood. For long term use, marine
plyw$$d is great! For one week at OSH ...we'll see what I find.

Dibs on the first pair! Um...along with assorted camping gear. No
lumpy pillows please? Does the plywood come with N-numbers stenciled
on? In matching colors? Remember, no lumpy pillows. :-)

Us too, us too!

Well, skip the pillows -- those we've got. But plywood is something
you could sell in the North 40 for a tidy little profit... EVERYONE
forgets to bring it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"