Flight set-up

Abstract:   I thought that the 17E's imported into the US could be set up by one person unfolding the wings. Does it really take a crew to set up a 17E for flight?

Subject: Flight set-up
From: Fridlo 45 <fridlo45@yahoo.com>
Date: 10/6/08 6:40 AM
To: Taifun17E@yahoogroups.com, amelendy@yahoo.com

Al and others --

Al said, "I shudder to think of trying to find two or three beefy guys to help me with the wings every time I want to fly."

I thought that the 17E's imported into the US could be set up by one person unfolding the wings. Does it really take a crew to set up a 17E for flight?

Thanks, Fridlo

Subject: Re: Flight set-up
From: "cloudsipper" <amelendy@yahoo.com>
Date: 10/6/08 7:31 AM
To: Taifun17E@yahoogroups.com

Fridlo,
My Taifun 17E is a type2, and doesn't have the extra fittings for self
storage. 

Subject: Re: [Taifun17E] Flight set-up
From: Bob Gurr <gurrini@yahoo.com>
Date: 10/6/08 8:05 AM
To: Taifun17E@yahoogroups.com

I've been slipping my wings on for the past (21) years by myself. Age 77.

N11VR

Subject: Re: Flight set-up
From: "Richard A. Davidson" <raydavids@yahoo.com>
Date: 10/8/08 8:00 PM
To: Taifun17E@yahoogroups.com

Hi Fridlo,
I recently sold my Taifun 17E primarily because I was unable to assemble/dis-assemble it by myself. Now, I'm 82, weigh about 167 and am not handicapped in any way - however I am not a muscular guy. My two hangar-mates also had Taifuns (we were sort of a 'Taifun Squadron'). One was about 62 but big and muscular. He was a great guy and helped me assemble/dis-assemble the bird. He did his all by himself. My other hangar-mate you have heard from - Bob Gurr is 77 and as he said he has assembled his Taifun by himself for 21 years. Bob is a strong wiry guy who is physically very active. I happen to be the ultimate cynic. I believe no advertisments, and no brochures. The MORRIS AVIATION brochure said that a pilot/owner could assemble the Taifun by himself in just 15-minutes. Yeah, of course you can - if you can bench press about 150 lbs. and hold it for quite a while and be able to shove and wiggle that 60-70 lb. wing without dropping it (VEERRRY EXPENSIVE). Find yourself sons/brothers/cousins/friends who can help you put the Taifun together and take it apart - or, park it fully assembled inside an (expensive) 60 ft. wide hangar or on an outside tiedown. It is a delight to fly.
Ray Davids