Belly Pods

[dholly]

I have a OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES PRICE LIST from Denney Aerocraft circa 1989 in my files. It shows two underbelly cargo options:

Cargo Pod, fiberglass, looks like a drop tank . . . 289.00
(Hangs between the landing gear, detaches quickly)

Cargo Container, 5.3 ft.3 capacity, huge! . . . ... . 420.00
(Fiberglass, hangs under fuselage center section tight against belly like on a Cessna Caravan. Has two hinged doors. Removable with 4 bolts, weighs approximately 25lbs., requires mounting brackets and special truss welded to fuselage.)

[Dorsal]

Thanks for all the feedback. I have thought about building a Belly Box for more space but I'm not confident enough in designing an atatchment method such that I don't drop my cargo and box on some unsuspecting folks. I like the easy on and off of the Pod though I wish it were a little bigger. I need to make some measurments to see if it would enable me to bring both my camping gear and my folding bikes (Ken, I wish I paid more attention when I looked at your pod at the fly-in).

[HighWing]

Some thoughts on camping gear. I found a +20° F. sleeping bag that was smaller than a football when loaded it it's compression sack and weighed less than 2 lbs. Then I had an 8 lb. two man tent that I decided I wouldn't replace until I found one half that weight for less than $160. I did, so I did. Both these items are from REI. My sleeping pad is torso length and self inflating. It folds in half and rolls and is pretty close to the size of my sleeping bag. Every time we see a camp chair, both my wife and I go over and lift it. Some near full size camp chairs are of aluminum and can be surprisingly lightweight. I suspect all these items could fit in a Kitfox cargo pod.


Then there are other options. It was not uncommon when we were doing our annual Idaho group back country trips that one or more of the guys lashed their camp chair to a lift strut, right at the jury strut attachment, with bungee cords. In probably 7 or 8 trips over a weeks time, camping somewhere new every night, the guys that did this had no issues with the chairs. These were all Model IVs with the relatively small 40 lb. baggage sack, so the volume and weight of our stuff was a real issue.
Lowell

[Dorsal]

Thanks Lowell, very helpful. I also have nice small sleeping bags but the pads and tent are full size (which ones did you get). As for camping chairs I have seen pictures of folks that lashed them to the lift struts and wondered if that is technically legal? (perhaps one of those grey areas). Did you find a chair you like?

[HighWing]

I don't know about the legality of slinging stuff under or on the airplanes, but it is done in Alaska frequently. I did a little checking on the items I have and found no labels on the camp chair but it weighes five and a half pounds in it's bag. The tent is the same weight, I guess the three bags for stakes, poles and tent brought it up over the 4 lb. weight I mentioned previously. The sleeping bag weighs 2 lbs in its compression sack and measures 5.75" X 10" when compressed. The pad weighs under two pounds and is slightly larger than the sleeping bag when rolled and stuffed. Check the REI website, lots of very light weight back packing gear
Lowell

[rogerh12]

I betcha an external cargo pod of any kind would be considered a “major change” by the FAA as it effects both the aerodynamics of the plane and also the CG ( if you are going by the book). Major changes require notification of the FAA, and they will likely make you redo the weight and balance calculations and perhaps give you some hours to fly off (5 or so).

[Esser]

In the lower 48 I think you need a permit for an external load that is pretty much impossible to get with the exception of a few planes such as the beaver and the Otter which have external cargo limits outlined in their operation manuals. In Alaska the rules are different.

I live in Canada and pretty much anything goes as far as I know. The pilot is responsible for carrying a safe load. In northern Ontario you see that kinda of stuff all the time. C180s with 2 canoes and stuff.




This one doesn't really have to do with anything but i think it is cool.

[buckchop]

43E438C2-1561-49A8-8B89-08C04C5AA629.jpgPlane im installing it on, sorry some reason it wont let me attach multiple pictures. Hahhaaaaa