Tail Lift Handle

[Jerry Folkerts]

I was inspired by a photo in the Rebel archives, and the cost of a new one from the company that makes the STC ones for most aircraft, and most likely sells to MAM. Consequently, I ordered two 24 inch AL tubes from ACS, the outer was 1 inch OD, and the inner fit perfectly. I had some 1/4 AL plate in stock from my Cygnet build and as usual, headed over to my friend and mentor, Charlie Eubanks. Charlie bored two 1 inch holes on a 6.5 degree angle on his milling machine in the AL plate. At home, I sized them to 3 inch diameter flanges, and then centered them on the aircraft with the 1 inch AL tube in place. I put two AN3 bolts in the center of the tube, and then drilled and filed two slots for the handles to slide in. The handles are removable. The man that fabricates the STC handles recommended anything under 18 inches not slide in/out, unless you only do it on one side. That gives you more tube on tube contact. I put eight rivets in each flange, and used JB Weld to fix the outer tube to the flanges. In all, approximately 4 hours work, including the time at Charlie's.

[snowyriver]

Great! Now go out and find a set of bicycle grips to glue onto your handles. Si Smith made a similar set for me. The only difference was that he used a square plate on the inside and welded the tube to it. I keep each side's handle in that side's seat pocket. Use them all the time. Craig