[f-AA] best laid plans

[John Rodkey]

Today I was going to go flying. It's a bit of a commitment: a 45 minute drive one way, then I open the doors to the hangar (surprisingly difficult: I need to grease the wheels again...), and roll my hangar mate Bob's Aerion Lightning out of the hangar so I can pull the Chief out. 

Bob had been working on the wheels on the Lightning, so it was on a jack and needed the wheel reinstalled in order to move it. Bob wasn't there, but he said to go ahead and install the wheel temporarily. The wheel is a matco. I put it on, removed the jack, and as I started pulling the plane forward after a couple feet it suddenly stopped. Huh? Puzzled, I looked for obstacles that might have interfered with smooth rolling. Nothing. Pushed it back a few inches, and I noticed some yellow paint on the hangar floor  near the reinstalled wheel. Turns out I had installed the wheel the wrong way, with the valve stem pointed inboard, where it had run into the brake housing, and subsequently bent about 45 degrees. Of course, that made it so the valve stem couldn't seat, so the air was leaking out of the tire.  I put the axle on the jack, removed the wheel, refilled it with air, reinstalled the correct orientation, and as it was slowly deflating, was able to heave the airplane back into its normal spot. Jack back in place, I removed the wheel again, brought it to the bench, and took it apart to get the part number for ordering a replacement. 

OK, I'm a fairly handy guy: I know my way around a shop, and know my American from metric crescent wrench. I rebuilt my Chief, for goodness sake!! How did I make such a bone-headed mistake? As I was contemplating this, I looked closely at the Matco wheels. It has 3 holes around the rim where the brake disk attaches to the wheel. In fact, it looks exactly like the 3 holes in the wheels on my Chief. But the Chief has 3 holes on the outside of the wheel for the wheel cover, while the Matco holes are for the brake disk, mounted on the inside of the wheel.

I think this is also a variant of 'get-there-itis' - overly focusing on the next goal and not concentrating on the details of the task at hand.

Live and learn, I guess (I hope). Like Alexander's mother says, some days are like that. Even in Australia. 

John

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John (poobah) Rodkey - N9361E 11AC at Goleta

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[alan miller]

Bummer John!   At least you sorted it out before any substantial damage occurred and both Aircraft will live to fly another day

['Tony Buttacavoli' via aeronca]

Mama said there would be days like this , Mama said , Mama said , Cheers and Buon Natale Poobah 😎✊🎄

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

['Botijo G' via aeronca]

Oh trust me! Days just like that and worse lol

Sent from an NDB

On Nov 28, 2025, at 7:18 PM, 'Tony Buttacavoli' via aeronca <aer...@westmont.edu> wrote:

Mama said there would be days like this , Mama said , Mama said , Cheers and Buon Natale Poobah 😎✊🎄

[Mark Peterson]

I don't know about you John, but the expression "sick to your stomach" came to mind as I read through it.  You can live with hurting your own airplane, but someone else's pride and joy. . . You did the right thing, as I would have no doubt you would. 

Mark 

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From: aer...@westmont.edu <aer...@westmont.edu> on behalf of John Rodkey <pooba...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2025 3:56 PM
To: Aeronca Aviators <aer...@westmont.edu>
Subject: [f-AA] best laid plans

 

[John Rodkey]

Yep, I felt sick to my stomach. But there was nothing to be done for it at that point.

You know, Thanksgiving isn't just about being thankful for the good things we've been blessed with: sometimes you need to be thankful for the trials and tribulations that prove or grow your character. So... Happy post-Thanksgiving, everyone!

[Duane Fey]

You’re a good man, John.

Duane Fey

‘46 Chief, N85981

On Nov 29, 2025, at 10:23, John Rodkey <pooba...@gmail.com> wrote:



[John Rodkey]

Thanks, Duane.