Posible Storage ideas for Aquilla?

[Bundy]

Morning guys,

With the TRO looming next year and the planning phase going along nicely my attention will be drawn now to maximising space on my Aquilla. I am hoping I can get some practical advice from those who know the story and have tried and tested their own ideas on maximising packing space for long haul trips.

My idea is to remove the back seat and make an aluminium frame that fits directly onto the seat frame with water clamps to secure it. Frame will be wide enough to fit 2 x 25L fuel tanks with a small space underneath to pack tools, Med Kit, spares etc etc. This leaves my Panier bags "empty" so I can fit clothes, food, etc etc in there. I will be removing my pylon fairing for the trip so that I can strap the tent, bedroll, sleeping bag etc etc on top of this frame Im intending to make.

My thinking is that by removing the seat, I will have less equipment exposed to the airflow in flight. Please give your thoughts and input, I am most interested in hearing what the regular "cross country" chaps have to say/suggest.

Pics of a fully loaded Samoosa would be great.

[Tailspin]

Bundy

You can also put your tent etc INSIDE the wing. I know of a few people that have done this.
Plenty Idea's and Plenty solutions available.

[vernon11]

Alan. make sure what ever you tie to the pylon, is double secure. A bag going through the prop wont be fun. It nearly happened to me about 18 years ago. I still shudder when I think about it.
Regards,
Vern.

[Tumbleweed]

Trace the Mexican.

His trike looked like a Hilux on route to Swaziland after 16h00 when the cops are off duty.

[nicow]

Trace the Mexican.

His trike looked like a Hilux on route to Swaziland after 16h00 when the cops are off duty.

[vernon11]

Trace the Mexican.

His trike looked like a Hilux on route to Swaziland after 16h00 when the cops are off duty.

when he came down to Port Edward on his way South, One wandered how he stayed in the air.
Vernon

[Petrodactyl]

Hi Alan

We have launched a couple of 'Epics' from Grahamstown, including a trip to the pans in the Kalahari routing back via the west coast, and recently to Sodwana. We mostly fly trikes. Although not experts, here are some tips we have learned:

Try to take your seat with you - you never know when someone will need it. You might want to take someone for a flip whilst you are there, but more importantly, you may have to transport someone out of a remote area if they have an accident or mechanical problems, as we did on our return trip from Sodwana - 50kms NE of Port St Johns is pretty remote. I tied my seat down on top of the fuel cans, and the padding of the seat squab makes a great back rest.

Take comprehensive tools, spares and first aid kit. 'Gorilla snot" for tyres will get you out of a jam with a small thorn puncture, but a spare tube is aways a good idea. Discuss with other gaggle members and maybe share some spares around, but Fuel filter and plugs should always be with you along with the tools to fit them.

Always have space for a bottle of drinking water and a charged up cellphone.

Take minimal clothing - what you wear under your flight suit could be 89% of what you need. Spare Underwear and lightweight wet and cold weather gear should make up the balance. Washing clothes is easy, and the flying wires of a trike make great washing lines.

If it is just for you, take the smallest lightweight tent you can find. I have a tiny cheapie that has seen me through 7 trips. it fits in the panniers.

Don't scrimp on your tie-down gear. Take bigger pegs than you ever think that you will need. The L-shaped ones are best. Practice before the trip so that you know where everything is and you can level your wing and tie down your trike in the minimum amount of time. Weather can move in fast, and nothing spoils a trip so much as a trike on its back.

I don't like the idea of stuff tied to the pylon. Besides the safety aspect,disturbance of the airflow through the prop will increase your fuel consumption. One of our party on the last trip had a fantastic cylindrical bag made that almost ran the length of her lower boom tube (the one under your butt) You could also probably get away with strapping a length of large diameter PVC pipe with end caps under there, provided you could open both ends( to shove stuff out), and that you could secure the end caps against unscrewing in flight (locking wire? Cable Ties?) Just be very aware of messing with the C of G - Yes it does make a huge difference on a trike, as I found to my cost. Trying to land a trike nose-wheel first is no fun.

Be very careful of stuff in the wing. If it messes with the balance, the free movement of the spreader bar or the shape of the airfoil the results could be fatal. I would advise against it.

Be brutal about carrying the bare essentials. You will not have time to read that book.. you won't need a second fleece..Use a handline if you want to fish etc. Just being there will be more than enough, and you won't have time for the extra things that you brought.

Just my 3 fokkolies worth

Christian

[Bundy]

Christian...thanks so much for taking the time to give your input. Makes a hell of a lot of sense.

Having thought about it, yes the seat is a good idea.

I quite like the idea of a 4" PVC pipe along the boom....I think I will investigate this further. (will be careful of the CofG factor too)

I just bought myself a hiking tent, very compact and light which may even fit into the PVC pipe? I am in the process of making up a tool kit for the plane. Having stripped the entire aircraft a few months ago, you will be surprised how few tools are actually necessary for basic maintenance.
First aid kit is a must and I am intent on carrying at least 10L of water at all times, including a few Canned food items. (sardines etc etc) Will have two cell phones on different networks and a spare VHF handheld.

I have no intention of strapping anything inside the wings or along the pylon. Instead of removing the seat, I think I'm going to put the fuel cans on top and then make a small frame that goes over them. I can then secure the other bits and pieces to this frame.

I have made myself a "grippa" type tie down kit....will have to consider getting some longer pegs made though. I am considering pre rigging the ropes inside the wing though to save time when the wind is blowing hard?

Please keep the "tips" coming guys, really appreciated it.

[Blue Max]

Agree with Christian.
Yes nothing in the wing.
Yes nothing tied onto the main pylon.
Yes, I will also support the idea to keep the pax seat where it is.
Dont take a helmit, take a pr of goggles and earphones.( for a possable pax)
Two 25 lt fuelcans are an overkill. Yr trike have a 50 lt capacity and an extra 25 litt is sufficient.
Take yr Laptop along..Mine was my constant companion.. Not only did I keep my readers (followers)up to date but I also used it to kill time when I had to wait for the weather to become favourable for flying. And I also did my planning as I went along..by checking my route on Google earth and look at runways ahead..
You can not go without a laptop. Take the book about SA runways along...It is very valuable for yr planning cause planning to long ahead does not work..!!!
Your biggest fear will be the wind..tie yr aircraft down every night...Make sure you know the correct method.
My friend Asterix will lend you his 'belly bag'..( jy moet hom net vra.)you can not go without it..It takes a lot of luggage and will not affect the ballance of yr craft..
Jy gaan dit geniet...

[Bundy]

My friend Asterix will lend you his 'belly bag'..Jy gaan dit geniet...

Ons vriend James gaan saam Oom Polla! Hy sal seker sy eie Belly bag wil gebruik

I have heard many theories about the "correct" way to tie down a trike....It seems there is no real std way to do it and everyone seems to have their preferred method?

What are your thoughts on this guys?

[Tjoek]

Many years ago I had 3 cylindrical bags made with valcro straps for an Aquilla.... one goes underneat cart, and one on each side of the seat frame. Used it in '98 on a trip to the Okavango Delta and back. One for tent/sleeping bag; one for clothes; ons for food. Works great. Let me know if you want some photo's or wishes to borrow.

[Asterix]

Ho ho ho! I love this thread! I have SO many ideas for that blue Aquilla - TRIED AND TESTED on the Yellow Aquilla!

Let me just formulate my thoughts, look for a pic or two, and I will answer all your questions! ( You might have to do some shopping: FIRST STOP SOLO WINGS: Order two new "Oversized expanding" paniers, and a belly bag. There goes 70% of your packing problems, and they will serve you well for many years!) Believe me. Geel Kerneels as he stands has more packing space than the Cobra can ever wish to have. (Ex fuel capacity...)

[Bundy]

I am sure you will give some good advice James, having done a few CC's over the last few years.

Tie down method:

Here's what I was taught...and will be practising (with a stop watch )

1: Position trike with nose directly into prevailing wind.
2: Pull control bar all the way back (pitch down wing) and secure in level position against the seat frame.
3: Secure the trike from rolling back/forward by knocking in pegs forward and aft and securing trike with ropes to both sides. Trike can now not move forwards or backwards.
4: Knock in Grippa anchors perpendicular below Inspection zips on both sides and attach ropes.
5: Additional pegs and ropes attached to wing tips on both sides, forming approx 45 degree angle between wing tip and the ground.

Will appreciate your thoughts on this? (James has a very different way of doing this...)

James, yes I agree that extra panier size and a belly bag will be the best...however I dont think I will be able to afford all that AND still pay for the trip. I'm sure you have allready done some sums yourself too
If you had to choose...which one would you consider to be the most beneficial? Belly bag or the panniers?

To save space, I think I will be folding my sleeping bag into a square and sitting on it. Also gives me a slightly more elevated flying position which I prefer.

I have tried to formulate a list of the essential items on board at all times.

1: First aid kit (Including some Cayenne pepper which Im told stops bleeding!)
2: Spare VHF Radio, Spare cellphone (precharged and ready for use) Possible spare GPS...(moet nog die ou vra )
3: 25L fuel premixed. (I had planned to take 50L...but having spoken to a few guys and considering we have a ground crew I believe this will be sufficient.)
4: Small collection of spares including spare headset/chatterbox, plugs, fuel filter, safety wire, cableties.
5: 10L drinking water (still need to think about the container type. For safety sake I think I will have 2 x 5L in case one gets damaged in an oops )
6: Hiking tent
7:Basic clothing. Jocks, socks, Fleece, shorts Tee shirt, tracksuit pants. Will put this inside a laptop bag in a large ziploc plastic bag in case of rain.
8: Bedroll foam. Rolled up flightsuit is a suitable pillow.
9: Basic toolkit, fits into a tupperware (allready checked )
10: 3 x cans of food. Enough to survive on for a day at least. (I like sardines and beans)
11: Comprehensive Tie down kit. Im thinking of utilising the PVC pipe suggested above for this purpose. Can fit the long pegs and a two pound hammer inside the pipe with a threaded lid. I have lots of 3" and 4" piping lying around. Still have to think about the exact mounting point though.
12: Hip flask and cup with some single malt! (damn...should've put this at the top of the list )

...I'm sure I've missed something guys, help me think!

[Bundy]

Many years ago I had 3 cylindrical bags made with valcro straps for an Aquilla.... one goes underneat cart, and one on each side of the seat frame. Used it in '98 on a trip to the Okavango Delta and back. One for tent/sleeping bag; one for clothes; ons for food. Works great. Let me know if you want some photo's or wishes to borrow.

Hi Tjoek....please post a pic? Alt you can e mail me on husseyam@absamail.co.za
Looking at all options at this stage.

[Petrodactyl]

Alan

The way we always tie down is to make the wing absolutely level or just slightlynose down. Alowing the wing to generate lift in a downward direction is also a bad thing - the trike needs to have as little wind resistance as possible. The easiest way to do this is to make 2 ropes which each loop around your back axles, have pre-measured loops which match the perfect positions of the bar triangle points , and then secure either side of the front fork frame next to the foot pegs. I have more loops near the front so that I can make the 'truckers hitch' arrangement ie: the end of the rope loops back after going around the fork frame then through the loops so that you have additional 'pulley effect' leaverage. It is important to have these ropes tight enough to play a tune on - any movement of the wing is bad, as it has the habit of loosening the ropes very quickly in a strong, gusty wind.

We have never put extra ropes at the wing tips, only 2 ropes out of each zipped inspection slot. Set these at 90 Degrees each other to stop any swinging. We use the tent guy-rope toggles, or once again the "truckers Hitch method. These also must be kept tight. Use your big pegs here.

Finally a single rope at the front 'bowsprit ' and one around the prop gearbox secured at an angle into the ground will stop the trike rolling. On sand we dig small pits for each wheel or you can chock with rocks or lumps of wood.

Our trike survived a near gale on the runway at Port St Johns tied down like this. The fixed wing that was with us moved around a whole lot more than our
trikes.

Hope that this helps.

Christian