I assume the answer might be no, but thought I would check. Do any of you trailer and attach wings each time you fly? Is this a reasonable proposition, or maybe just only for a season type of thing?
Yes, I have trailered and assembled my MiniMax for almost 20 years. I takes about 20 min to assemble/disassemble by yourself, longer if helped. PVC stands to hold the tail up and level, another to install the wings,fold away for trailer storage. If the wind is to high for assembly then it was to high to fly, for me. The trailer,mobile hangar, was made, out of roofing material, to carry the MiniMax with the wings hung on the inside, of the trailer. The tail assembly completely attached at all times. Upon reflecting, a through preFlight inspection was preformed during assembly/disassembly. Repairs were made at home, as there was some HangarRash over the years, as with any flying machine. Hope this helps. BobN
Yes, I have trailered and assembled my MiniMax for almost 20 years. I takes about 20 min to assemble/disassemble by yourself, longer if helped. PVC stands to hold the tail up and level, another to install the wings,fold away for trailer storage. If the wind is to high for assembly then it was to high to fly, for me. The trailer,mobile hangar, was made, out of roofing material, to carry the MiniMax with the wings hung on the inside, of the trailer. The tail assembly completely attached at all times. Upon reflecting, a through preFlight inspection was preformed during assembly/disassembly. Repairs were made at home, as there was some HangarRash over the years, as with any flying machine. Hope this helps. BobN
This subject has been discussed several times and interestingly, both sides of the discussion have been heard, from no way is it practical, to not too bad at all, twenty minutes out, twenty minutes back. I like the latter one myself. Somehow you can search this subject and get many more comments from people, some with pictures, and one guy also had a video of him assembling a Max with some helpful assists he created. Kim Brown New Hampshire
I never trailered my skypup until I had two engine failures in cow fields. and my buddy saved me with his boat trailer. I was more nervous about damaging my airplane then I had even ben in my life. I wouldn't recommend hauling your airplane to your flying spot, just keep it where you intend to fly it.
when its comes to setup, I only had to insert two 3/8" bolts to install the wings on the skypup, the himax will be a little different, but this video will give you an idea of how I will do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGplvun8sZA
None of us want to trailer very often, however many of us do each time, as there are no spaces available.
Or if there are hangers available, the price is a bit high.
Currently where I am hangered, the rent is $250/month for a 40' x 36' hanger. That would be a lot to keep just an ultralight, but I also have a Cessna 175, and both planes fit in the hanger. So I can justify the monthly fee. A lot of guys will partner if both planes will fit in a single hanger. Usually a high wing(Cessna 150/172/180/etc) and a low wing(Cherokee 180/Mooney/Musketeer/etc) will fit together. That helps with the monthly expense.
Some thoughts about trailering, extending beyond the labor involved in docking the wings and removing the wings for each flight.
1. If you use a trailer just for transporting the airplane to the airfield ( open trailer, assuming the airfield is close enough ), you need to find a place to store your plane and trailer at home in between flights. Wings are easier to store. I keep mine on top of the garage on a specially built loft that transfers the weight to the side walls, so I still have enough space to park vehicles in the garage. Where do I keep the fuselage (with landing gear and tail bolted in place, in ready to fly configuration except for wings) ?
2. Secondly , what if your HOA does not allow parking of open trailers ( empty or loaded ) in your drive-way ? I have a big backyard that can take even the biggest RV, but with no access ( hemmed in by other houses to the back and sides )
3. An enclosed trailer takes care of the space needed for storage of the airplane, but what about parking charges for the trailer ?
4. Is there a specific set of guidelines on modifying an enclosed cargo trailer ( or fabricating a new enclosed trailer ) for storing fabric covered air planes ( ventillation, protection from UV, protections from rodents etc? )
Built mine on a car trailer with a wooden frame and a pitched roof which had to go on in a hurry. I had used plastic tarpaulins for cover and the day I finished it, the heavens opened and I had 100 gallons to get out of the roof pool! I don't like rigging but am lucky enough to have a hangar for about $150 a month. I have just fitted a full width roller blind door made from truck side material. I can wind it up in a minute and have the 'Max ready for takeoff in five (if it will start!) Sheer luxury
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