Finding that ground handling is a bit difficult as a one man job, especially over an uneven surface, I ordered a helicopter tow bar that has worked out well. It is from Brackett Aircraft and can be found at the following link:
http://www.brackettaircraft.com
It is designed for a Schweizer, which has wider skids, but works great on my B-2B. All I had to do was cut out a little of the center cross bar to allow for the narrower width. I ordered mine with the trailer connector so I can hook it up directly to my van, no need for a tug.
Steve Chenoweth
Tow Bar
Moderator: Paul Sehorne
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Steve Chenoweth
- Founding Member
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2003 11:04 pm
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Contact:
Tow Bar
Last edited by Steve Chenoweth on Fri Apr 29, 2005 2:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Kevin Hynes
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2003 1:18 pm
Have seen and used Steve's tow bar, mates to front of skids, providing another set of wheels for the front end, and also hooks to trailer hitch for towing. If you leave it unhitched, it still provides an easier method of moving around, by eliminating need to have to push down on tail while also trying to push forward. Minor mods would make it even more user freindly. Any body else out there got any great ideas or already used methods?
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Kevin Hynes
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2003 1:18 pm
Have seen and used Steve's tow bar, mates to front of skids, providing another set of wheels for the front end, and also hooks to trailer hitch for towing. If you leave it unhitched, it still provides an easier method of moving around, by eliminating need to have to push down on tail while also trying to push forward. NOTE: Be careful if pulling backwards, while attachments are very strong, if you look at the geometry carefully, it is made to take the load of forward movement better than rearward movement. All in all, a good product adapted to the Brantly, and with minor mods would make it even more user freindly. Any body else out there got any great ideas or already used methods?
I built a 10'x10' landing pad out of 2x4's 3/4" plywood and steel channel. I used an old truck trailer hitch and 4 castering/4 straight wheels from tractor supply. It works great an there is no hooking up the helicopter skids to anything or having to mess with the ground wheels. It also keeps the helicopter up off the ground which decreases the chances of hitting the rotor blades on cars, heads, etc.
If your wings aren't turning, they are broken and you had better get them fixed....
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Captain Cosmic
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2003 7:38 am
- Location: Sweden
Got any pictures or instructions for the landing pad
I would like to see what your landing pad looks like. Have you got a website where you have the pictures posted? Did you actually have a plan to work off of, or was it all just guess, measure and cut? 
i am new to the brantly business, having just bought one and starting the learning process. i did run across a towbar, hoever, on a rotorway. small unit which picks up the front end of the skids on wheels. much like the one mentioned by steve. i called the fellow who builds them and the good news is that it costs under 400.00. will talk more about when i see how it works.