Sunday, May 15, 2022

Release mechanism completed

The release I built months ago is now welded up and the bottom has been filed flat.  I added silicone grease to all the rotating bits and surfaces.  It's more-or-less ready for a final checkout once I'm ready to go launch.

Mounted on the tow vehicle, the emergency release line has an easy run up through the headrests to the passenger seat, for a no-question easy grab.  Having tried this a dozen times at different orientations, it was really consistent.

I left the main bolt slightly loose (it's a lock-nut, so no issue of it falling out), so the mechanism can swivel left/right to follow the direction of the force off runway center-line.  The steel ring itself can pitch down about 45deg and up around about 90deg, again to follow the direction of the towing force.  I'm happy with it.

The trailer is still in the same state of needing final welds, a top deck, rails, and mounts for holding the wings.  It's now nice summer weather, so maybe this can be the final push between work events.

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