BruceEicher
Well Known Member
Aeronautical Engineer/Aircraft Designer Ken Krueger is installing his new legs on my plane as I write this today. Made of aluminum, airfoil shaped to match profile of fiberglass fairing. Gun drilled for elimination of brake lines, made to bolt on existing holes, but come with new “U” brackets and longer bolts to accommodate the slightly thicker and wider gear.
One side is done and going quite well. As we work thru the minute details I will update the install as I see it. Ken is developing complete instructions with many good pictures for explanation of the slight differences between these and the stock steel legs.
Speaking of stock; why spend the money for these? Well for one, it’s like putting new polished wheels on your truck or sports car to replace the plastic wheel covers over cheap steel wheels. And then weight savings; Ken strung up my old leg, hardware, leg fairing and brake lines on a scale and then did the same for the new components. BTW, the new inner U bracket is made of aluminum rather than steel, an added savings. Total weight reduction confirmed with two scales and then doubled for both legs and hardware came to right at 15lbs total diet results. Hula’s happy with her new lines.
Ken’s website here. FWIW, I have no investment in this product and have purchased the gear outright but have received free labor of the install. Thanks Ken and Klaus!
Click to Ken’s page then click or tap photo for more info and prices:
https://www.skydesigns.aero/products
And as this writing, three more pairs of legs are produced but unspoken for. Ken may bring some to Oshkosh.
Hula Girl did elect for the polished finish upgrade, being a dancer and all.
I will add more detailed pics and a flight report as time allows.
Klaus-Peter Morhard, German RV-7 builder/pilot removes the old steel gear leg. I think Ken is in the cockpit napping.
One steel leg off, looking like a cold stork:
We primed the inner ends of the aluminum.
The U brackets fit tight with a few taps of the mallet.
Ken and Klaus trial fit. We trimmed a little non-structural belly skin for the larger hardware and thought out the brake hook-up.
Ken is trying not to get too many of his finger prints on Hula’s leg.
We did choose to upgrade our outer U bracket nuts as per AE Steve Smith’s recommendation. Thanks Steve! This helped inside the gear boxes fitting the smaller 12 point socket too.
Steve’s VAF thread: http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=42630
One leg done. Once we have both done we will check and re-align toe-in/out to neutral.
Both legs installed
To follow will be new brake fluid and an adjustment to the lower and upper intersection fairings.
One side is done and going quite well. As we work thru the minute details I will update the install as I see it. Ken is developing complete instructions with many good pictures for explanation of the slight differences between these and the stock steel legs.
Speaking of stock; why spend the money for these? Well for one, it’s like putting new polished wheels on your truck or sports car to replace the plastic wheel covers over cheap steel wheels. And then weight savings; Ken strung up my old leg, hardware, leg fairing and brake lines on a scale and then did the same for the new components. BTW, the new inner U bracket is made of aluminum rather than steel, an added savings. Total weight reduction confirmed with two scales and then doubled for both legs and hardware came to right at 15lbs total diet results. Hula’s happy with her new lines.
Ken’s website here. FWIW, I have no investment in this product and have purchased the gear outright but have received free labor of the install. Thanks Ken and Klaus!
Click to Ken’s page then click or tap photo for more info and prices:
https://www.skydesigns.aero/products
And as this writing, three more pairs of legs are produced but unspoken for. Ken may bring some to Oshkosh.
Hula Girl did elect for the polished finish upgrade, being a dancer and all.
I will add more detailed pics and a flight report as time allows.
Klaus-Peter Morhard, German RV-7 builder/pilot removes the old steel gear leg. I think Ken is in the cockpit napping.
One steel leg off, looking like a cold stork:
We primed the inner ends of the aluminum.
The U brackets fit tight with a few taps of the mallet.
Ken and Klaus trial fit. We trimmed a little non-structural belly skin for the larger hardware and thought out the brake hook-up.
Ken is trying not to get too many of his finger prints on Hula’s leg.
We did choose to upgrade our outer U bracket nuts as per AE Steve Smith’s recommendation. Thanks Steve! This helped inside the gear boxes fitting the smaller 12 point socket too.
Steve’s VAF thread: http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=42630
One leg done. Once we have both done we will check and re-align toe-in/out to neutral.
Both legs installed
To follow will be new brake fluid and an adjustment to the lower and upper intersection fairings.
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