Can I Push on the Strut or Not..?
 

When I bought my SM the previous owner made a really big deal about never pushing the plane by pushing on the strut. He said it is different than a 172/182 etc and should never be done so I have not done it. Then I read in the POH that pushing on the struts is the recommended procedure and I am confused. It sure would be a lot easier/safer than pushing on the prop or open door frame etc. Also, whenever forks want to help that is the first place they try to push. Thoughts..?

I avoid pushing on the strut as you are actually pushing on a nonstructural fairing that is covering the actual strut. I worry about deforming it. I cannot say with any certainty that my concerns are founded however it is my overall practice to treat the aircraft like fine china. When one pays for maintenance, I hate to create it. It's one thing to have maintenance events occur in the normal use of the aircraft. It's another thing to create maintenance events that could have otherwise been avoided.

Also things I do or do not do:

I don't slam the doors
I don't pull or push on flimsy interior parts to move the seats fore and aft
I make sure the locking pins are fully disengaged before sliding the seats fore and aft as to not drag the pins over all the holes on the seat rail
I minimize brake usage
I move all controls politely and strive to use the minimum necessary consistent with good operating practice and safety

and blah blah blah....

Hopefully you get the point. The airplane will break all by itself. It doesn't need your help to break it!

Have fun!

Ed

This is some VERY good advice... Thank you!

Definitely avoid pushing on the strut, there are 4 plastic type guides per strut which locate the cover over the strut, and all control cables run through these guides as well.

So if you break a trailing edge guide $180+. If you break a leading edge guide $360+ And you will need to undo all control cable turnbuckles and reset controls.

I broke one of each when assembling my plane, even with no push stickers I had to watch people as they go straight for the struts.

It’s a heavy bus to move when full of fuel, I bought an EZ40 power tow and now no one need touch the plane when I go to move it.

Save your back and plane, buy a powertow


Dave

So it looks like I am most certainly in the "NO PUSH" on struts camp. Thanks everyone!

TC

Can I Push on the Strut or Not..?
 

Hello. I'm fairly new to C337 ownership. I have two 1965 skymasters, one, my first, is a project, now parts bird, and the second is in flying condition. I'm an A&P mechanic so I do my own maintenance. SO to your question. My older models may have heavier gauge fairing on the struts mine are plenty stout to push on and with the many screws holding the two halves of the fairings I'd say "YES" push on the struts! FYI:)
BILLS

Just push on the top of the tires. Much easier, provides leverage and avoids damage to the strut coverings.