quick removability of Legal Eagle wings

[kfb]

Hi
I am going to build again but for financial reasons, I am choosing to build an a/c with either folding wings or quickly removable wings.  I have pretty much fully digested my choices in the folding wing world, and am now looking at building choices that might have quickly removable wings, as that would accomplish my goal as well, which is to avoid hangar costs.  So the question becomes:  with the help of excellent tech counselors during the build of a Legal Eagle, can I end up with a neat plane that has quickly removable wings(apparently that means under twenty minutes by yourself, perhaps with assistance from a lightweight removal stand of some sort) As always, the comments of those in this area of interest are greatly appreciated.
Kim Brown

[leshoman]

My standard LEXL takes about 2 hours to dis-assemble and about 3 hours to assemble. To cut that time substantially will take some very careful thinking during design process. time consuming items include removing and reinstalling the wing center section covering, removing all the bolts, cables, tail feather bracing them removing them from the fuselage.  I have to disconnect the tail wheel from rudder and reconnect.  removing the wings can be tricky but does not seem to be the time killer.  Reassembly is more time consuming because of having to get washer counts right, re-installing cotter pins.  if i was to do it again there are several things i would do differantly but from the start i have designed my LEXL and trailer for me, by myself, to take down and put together.  That part works but the time is not short or easy on a hot day.  Looking forward to seeing Leondards folding wind design on the cabin eagle.

[Sam Buchanan]

So the question becomes:  with the help of excellent tech counselors during the build of a Legal Eagle, can I end up with a neat plane that has quickly removable wings(apparently that means under twenty minutes by yourself, perhaps with assistance from a lightweight removal stand of some sort)

Assuming you wish to remain Part 103 compliant......no.

Sorry to be the bearer of 'bad' news, but the Legal Eagle just wasn't designed to have quickly/easily installed wings. Adding that feature would have taken it beyond the weight limit of Part 103 in addition to degrading performance.

I've lost count of how many times prospective builders have asked this question the past few years, and the answer hasn't changed.....

I hope you can find a way to fit the Eagle, as designed, into your building plans, but to attempt to make this plane something it wasn't intended to be will lead to a lot of aggravation and disappointment.

Best wishes to you regardless of which path you end of taking.

[grdev]

I have built and installed /removed wings for three aircraft by myself. A Double Eagle, Wag A Bond, and now the XL. It takes a little time, but if you  design a system around you and you plane it should become rather routine, or at least that is what I'm hoping  for. I fabricated a simple sling & bridle for each plane and used a cherry picker to hoist them in place. the most difficulty I had was  pushing the cherry picker around on gravel, it works fine on the garage floor, but the steel wheels don't work well outside. Anyway once everything was lined up it was a piece of cake doing everything by myself. I've never done this on a regular biases, rather only to trial fit and set the wing wash out and dihedral. On the XL I plan to build a purpose built trailer from a 4x8 utility trailer I have. It will have sides that fold down that will have cradles to secure the wings and fold vertical for transport & flat for removing and installing on the fuselage.   I'm adding brackets to the top of the wing, much the same as the brackets for holding the jury struts. This will allow me to pick the wings straight up instead  of having to pick them up by hand and maneuvering  them in place. I will also build a cherry picker that can be easily be placed on either side of the trailer to hoist the wings straight up and rotated and held in  in place while you install your pins or bolts. Steve has several ideas/photos for installing and removing wings on the old forum.I've not measured the width of the horizontal stabilizer, but it should be close to 8' which can be transported on the HWY I believe. If not ask Leonard if you can change the size of the stabilizer where you maintain the same SQ foot, only shorten and lengthen  the elevator stabilizer to come in under 8' width.  I'm so close to the airport, it is all city streets in a town of 700 residences, so I won't need to worry about removing the tail  feathers. Good luck

[onpetree]

How did this work out for you?  Did you get this to comply with Part 103? 

[charlierainman]

I purchased a set of plans from Leonard this past winter, I have no idea when I may get started on it. I have thought a lot of folding wings and how to store it at home and transport it easily. I think that folding wings would add way too much weight. Easily removable wings, well I think Les Homan has did about as good as you can for speed, he has several videos on U-tube, but it still takes more time than would be handy for weekly use. I have thought a person should make the fuselage fold right behind the wing, it would not add a lot of weight to the design and they did this way back in the twenties on several designs, it worked out well. It would take a long trailer, but far easier to take down and re assemble.

[Dan_]

The Hyper light biplane could shed the tail section altogether right behind the wings.

First sentence under "Design" here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorrell_Hiperlight

[Flyguyeddy]

Remove or fold the horizontal stab/elevator and fold the wings per jordan lake aero airbike type setup.  This is what i will be attempting.