DA62 Length Question

[Bryce]

In order to better fit my DA62 next year, I am going to expand my current hangar (50x40) to be appx 65x40 and have two options.

The first one is very expensive. I will either have to remove the current side steel posts holding up the structure (3 - 1 in front, middle and back) and remove & redo the entire side of steel trusses from the middle of the hangar to the new extended side. I prefer not to do this.

The second option will cost a lot less, and be a lot easier to do, but may not work. It basically involves leaving the hangar structure the way it is, and adding on an additional 15' to the side. I would remove the existing metal side wall, but the existing center post will stay in place.

In order for the second option to work, the airplane wing needs to sit infront of the existing sidewall beam. I can't find the measurement anywhere showing the distance from the tip of the nose to the root of the wing where the flaps hit the fuselage, as well as the distance from the nose back to the trailing edge of the ailerons. All I can find is the total length of the airplane. Can anyone measure this for me? Attached is an image for reference. The cables that are crossed will be removed, but the post where my red Sidewinder tow will still be there, with the new wall 15' to the outside of that post.

Thanks for your help, or suggestions!

Bryce

[Steve]

With a wingspan of slightly less than 48 feet, you could fit it in your present hangar with about one foot clearance on each side. I have fit my DA 40 into a 42 foot wide opening for 21 years without any hangar rash (following the taxi lines I painted on the ground). My hangar looks to be of the exact same construction as yours, with similar door frame clearance.

Others have devised even better ways to keep your aircraft exactly positioned during pushback (tracks bolted to the floor), but if you are careful, you can do it without. If you still want to do your plan, I would definitely get a structural engineer involved early in the process. You cannot just remove bracing members and move support posts around willy-nilly on these structures without risking a collapse. A wider door will also be very expensive to install.

Good luck!

[Bryce]

Steve,
Correct, it will fit in on rollers if I turn it sideways some. But it's still tight. I'm in a unique situation where the airport is allowing me to increase my envelope. I hope I didn't come off like I was going to do this myself, obviously a steel building company with engineers will do the work. The airport authority has to sign off on it anyway. What I really need is the lengths referenced above so I can determine if expanding is worth it.

Thanks!

[mfdutra]

[Bryce]

I've seen that diagram, so imagine the length from nose to back side of wing root is around 15-16', but trying to get an actual accurate measurement. If anyone has a chance to measure yiur DA62 for me, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Bryce

[photoSteveZ]

Bryce, I'll try and get you a measurement tomorrow when I'm at the hangar.

[Bryce]

Thanks, Steve! I was going to print off the diagram posted by mfdutra and take a ruler to it and do some basic math to get the measurement that im looking for. That is assuming they drew things to scale/proportion.

Bryce

[Bryce]

Just got this from John Armstrong at LifeStyle. Thanks for the willingness to help, Steve!

Bryce

[ultraturtle]

Just got this from John Armstrong at LifeStyle. ...

Quick disclaimer - I provided that drawing, and those dimensions are not exact, they are approximations. I scaled the maintenance drawing in AutoCad and took the measurements from there. That said, I have verified other measurements I've taken from this model to be accurate to within less than an inch.

[Bryce]

Just got this from John Armstrong at LifeStyle. ...

Quick disclaimer - I provided that drawing, and those dimensions are not exact, they are approximations. I scaled the maintenance drawing in AutoCad and took the measurements from there. That said, I have verified other measurements I've taken from this model to be accurate to within less than an inch.

Within a few inches works. John also sent me pictures of your system, which I understand you're selling. I would like to talk with you to see if it can work for me since my door is a little smaller than yours.

Bryce