Getting the tail up to level position can be pretty tough with something like a skywagon.
Besides being heavy, just grabbing onto the tailcone is kinda like trying to catch a greased pig.
I use a long 4x4 across the t/w assembly just ahead of the tire, with a guy picking up on each end.
Alone, a duct jack as shown or an engine hoist would come in handy to get it up close to being level.
(FWIW I once weighed an airplane by myself, with the mains on scales and the tail with a fish scale hanging from an engine hoist)
Once it's up on a table or something, it isn't too hard to get your back under it (after degreasing of course!)
and raising it enough to slide more cribbing or a scale under the tire.
Remember to be careful, you don't want to let the tailwheel roll off that 3 or 4 foot high table and crash to the ground...
and probably damage the rudder on the way down.
I like to chock the mains on the scales until it's time to actually write down the weights.
.

I didn’t weigh today, but had a bulky friend from school come bench press the tail onto various heights of support until we got it to the right height. It takes a 55gallon barrel, a golf cart tire, and a 25# of lead shot to get level on 8.50x10’s.

I also confirmed the distance that was determined when it was weighed previously, so either we are both correct or both screwed up the same way

I have to get some stuff finished at the work hangar before I can use the scales and I will do the whole process there, but I am starting to confirm dimensions. I will drain the fuel before weighing.

Rod

If you really want to know if someone is truly serious about weight savings in airplanes, ask them whether they wear boxers or briefs......The good news is, this could be one of the least expensive weight savings mods......

MTV

So a pilot should go “commando” for maximum weight reduction?

R

Wa180 wrote: So a pilot should go “commando” for maximum weight reduction? R

Bumper sticker idea:
instead of "fly it like you STOL it",
how about "fly nekkid!" ?

My friends laugh that my wife has me by the berries so I can subtract them as well I guess....

Sorry for the creep, Greg, but this thread was kinda stalled .

MTV

mtv wrote:If you really want to know if someone is truly serious about weight savings in airplanes, ask them whether they wear boxers or briefs......The good news is, this could be one of the least expensive weight savings mods......

MTV

Pilot in commando.