flymeaway

My Feedback: (6)

The club field is grass but is kept nice and short. I'm trying to decide if I want to install pants on my Extra I'm finishing up. I'm not all that concerned about the extra weight, just not sure if they'll hold up at a grass field as I've heard pants off grass is trouble. Are pants at a grass field that big of a deal?

Also, what's the best procedure to install pants?

Thanks much.
Bob

bodywerks

My Feedback: (4)

Run them, but run 1" larger wheels as well.

JoeAirPort

My Feedback: (41)

Yeah, pants look way better than just wheels. It's worth the trouble. Also it depends on how flat the field is, not that it's grass. Our field is grass and is nice and flat, no problems at all for wheel pants. I usually hit them or kick them and break them, it's always my fault not the field.

If the pants don't have thin ply glassed into them, make a little ply plate and glue it onto the inside of the pants nice and flat (thick CA or Epoxy). After it dries make sure the entire plate is covered with glue for strength and water/fuel proof). If the gear is not pre-drilled for the pants, mark and drill two holes in the landing gear using the pants as a guide to locate the general place for the holes. After thos holes are drilled, hold the pant up the the gear leg at the proper angle (this angle is critical to get right for looks and function). Using the holes in the gear as a template, mark the pant hole locations with a Sharpie or pencil. Drill two holes in the pant. The holes should be big enough for the blind nuts you are using. Press the blind nuts in using a nut, washer, and bolt (a tiny bit of thick CA/Epoxy can be used on the blind nuts where they bite into the wood). Remember to use blue Lock tite on the bolts to attach the pants.

Make sure to drill the holes in the gear first. I did it backwards the other day and man was it hard to mark the holes on the gear via the inside of the pants.

aviti

My Feedback: (54)

Yeh, Extra's need pants.

Flyjets

My Feedback: (51)

Hi

All planes are different if it was a Yak or Sukoi I would leave them off.

Extra's and Edge's need there wheel pants ...............................

Ian

Jim Messer

My Feedback: (2)

For what it's worth to you, I run wheel pants off grass all the time. In the beginning I had problems with grass building up inside the pant, acting like a brake. So I cut the entire bottom side out of the pant - they are now fully open on the underside (and you can't see it) and that solved the problem. I have several planes - all done this way.

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

I agree....put 'em on!

amjflyer

I wouldnt like to fly without my pants on!