Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Hubbard, Eugene"
I need to mount a step somewhere near the front of my fuse so I can get up to thecenter section tank in case (well, ok, WHEN) there's not a ladder handy.....So I'm thinking about mounting a length of round 5/8"-.095Wall Thickness (WT) 4130tubing inside a piece of 3/4"-.058WT tubing so that it can telescope out around6" or so......and that will be my step.....I have no idea even what range of sizes to plan for without doing some tests, aVERY expensive process when using 4130......Any estimates on what kind of load this setup would handle? Or what other combinationsmight come close to handling 200lbs plus a fuel can (maybe an additional40lbs)?jm________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Jim Markle
here's my retractable 4130 step.http://imagedv.com/aircamper/log/image- ... 04.htmMine is 1" OD .065 wall. It telescopes about 7" I welded a large disc on theend that keeps it from sliding in too far and also acts as a stop for your footso it won't slip off.The outer tube that it slides into has some tabs welded to it that I ran 4 AN-3bolts through and secured it to the fuselage bottom via an area beefed up withSpruce.I've tested it with up to 250lb and it help just fine. Would probably be goodfor a 300lb rating.DJ VeghN74DVMesa, AZwww.imagedv.com/aircamper ----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy

Original Posted By: "Richard Navratil"
types?Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: How about some help from one of you "engineer" types?Jim,I had a similar thought for re-fueling the wing tank. I used a .090" bracket, under the head of the bolt of the lower right engine mount. It's shapedlike an upside down tee, hangs below the bottom of the fuselage, and it has slotsto accept a removable stirrup. So far, there has always been a small ladder to re-fuel, and I've never really used it.Chuck G.________________________________________________________________________________