How do I fix this?

[Alberta_Kitfox]

Hi guys,

Last summer I bought a Kitfox IV and trailered it home from Yellowknife, NWT for 1600km. Someone had advised me to support the rear of the fuselage with blocks to prevent stress on the tailwheel spring with the wings folded. Unfortunately, due to the rough roads in northern Canada, when I got home I found that the tailwheel spring was fine, but the tubes along the top of the fuselage were bent. Now I'm wishing I were just replacing a tailwheel spring.

I was busy with other things over the winter, but now that the weather is getting nice, I'm getting the itch to get this Kitfox in the air so I would like to repair the fuselage.

I am am pretty mechanically inclined and have taken the Polyfiber covering course so I am comfortable with fabric work.

I have attached a photo of the damage. What would be the best way to fix this? As you can see the fabric has some holes already, should I just strip all of the fabric off and straighten the tubing and re-cover the whole fuselage? Or is there a way I can do this repair without doing a full re-cover?

Thanks,
Randy (Alberta, Canada)

See photo's below:

[Jfquebec]

Sorry about that....look that...All is in that book

http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog...clickkey=57647

[t j]

Okay, here's what I would do to begin with just based on what I can see in the picture.

You need to remove enough fabric to get access to do a good inspection of all the fuselage tubing in the section from about the handle in the rear to about the antenna.

Cut a rectangular section of fabric off the top only to begin. Cut the side about an inch or so below those top tubes that are bent and straight across the top preferably along tubing that you can make splices of the old and new fabric pieces to. Use a straight edge to cut along so you have a good straight fabric edge to attach new fabric to if you get lucky and only those top tubes are bent.

This should give you enough access to make a good inspection of the bottom and side tubing.

If you're lucky it's just the top and the fix for 4130 that is bent and not kinked is to cold bend it back into shape.

If you find evidence of more damage then more fabric may need to come off to repair it.

For what it's worth for anyone for future trailering. I saw damage like this from trailering once but it was a tri gear and they strapped the nose wheel down tight to the trailer and the tail tight to a support under the tail so the plane was level. The trailer flexed on the rough roads and bent the lower tubing in the same section yours is bent. He cold bent it back into shape without removing the fabric. I would have removed the fabric to inspect it better.

[Alberta_Kitfox]

Thanks for the advice, Tom, that's what I will do. Like you said, hopefully it is just the top tubes that are bent. I'm out of town right now but will get this done when I get back home, will keep you guys posted.

Thanks again,
Randy

[DesertFox4]

So sorry to see this damage.

Someone had advised me to support the rear of the fuselage with blocks to prevent stress on the tailwheel spring with the wings folded

The purpose of supporting the tail during transport has nothing to do with saving the tail wheel. Looking at your damage, you would have most likely broke your rear tail post and have a much bigger repair ahead of you if you had left it on the tail wheel the entire trip.

I would love to see a Youtube video made by a member that frequently and successfully trailers their Kitfox long distances with no damage, showing the proper trailer, securing techniques, aircraft preparation, ect. I hate seeing damage like this when it's completely avoidable.

[Esser]

That's a rough drive too Randy. I would have been tempted to take Canadian North up and fly it back but I can see a whole bunch of reasons why you wouldnt want to do that with a new to you homebuilt plane in pretty hostile territory.