Light Aircraft Association

I have just bought an RV9a and need some advice on the best way to push the aircraft backwards without damaging the nosewheel. I'm assuming the nose wheel does not reverse in direction i.e castor backwards in a similar way to a Scott tailwheel break out mechanism.
I have read somewhere about setting the break out force but assumed this was to reduce shimmy rather than allow the nosewheel to do a 180 on the leg?
While I can carefully push the aircraft backwards making sure the nose wheel remains straight, I'm not so sure others will be in our shared hanger.

Make a nosewheel towing dolly, then moving the aircraft in & out should be a doddle.

Bill,

Thanks for your reply, Yes that's what I thought I would need to do, just wanted to canvass others owners opinions of their experience first. If you have some pics of a good example, I would appreciate seeing them.

I made a similar device for pulling our Emeraude in and out and that worked well, obviously from the other end though.

Regards Mark

Mark, I expect that the one I use on my Rans would be a design that could be adapted for various types. My attachment clamps around the forks on the nosewheel leg.

Actually, going by your name, I have total confidence in your ability to cobble summat together

Is your aircraft fitted with a castoring nosewheel? Perhaps there is an owners forum where this subject has been discussed before?

The RV9A has Allen bolts screwed into the top of the wheel mount that restrict movement to about 50 degrees either side of centre. It can't rotate beyond that. The mechanism is fairly robust and would be quite hard to damage.

Having said that the aircraft is a pig to reverse without a towbar. If you are in a shared hangar I would get a towbar and leave it attached to the front wheel so others can move the aircraft simply and safely.

Of course you do need to remember to remove it before starting the engine.......

Best regards

Peter

Thanks for your advice.
I have ordered a tow bar from the U.S that is advertised as suitable for moving the VANS 'A' models.