This note was in response to a question regarding wheel alignment from Bob Gisburne this week 7/9/98
I thought it might be helpful for those of you who still have to go through this procedure. As usual, any comments are welcome.

Great news about the gear !! (His re-worked steel gear legs or back on his Express)
 
    You are right on target with the empty weight 6 degrees wheel camber. You should end up with "0" at gross. Before you load the wings do the following as I did.  Use plywood or chip board panels about 12" x 12'" ( at least 3/4" thick) and set them under the tires with a least four 1/4" steel rods underneath . Make sure the floor is clean in the area where they will roll. Also, if you can find some long straight metal angles (8').  These can be clamped to a plate which is (bolted) attached to the axle spindle outside of the tire. Project both metal angles at least 5 ft forward and put short pieces of 1/4" all thread under the forward ends so the metal can move sideways as you load the wings. This will allow you to check the toe in before and after you load the aircraft.

    The wheel spread will be in the area of 5 to 6 inches at gross. Drop a center line from the airplane to the floor so you
measure from that to the metal angles that are now attached to the axle spindles. By measuring from them to the aircraft
center line, you can determine their relation to the center of the airplane.  Measure the distance between the metal angles
and to the center line before and after bringing the load to gross. You will also be checking the camber at empty and at gross. The camber can be checked off of the metal plated that are bolted to the axle spindle using an electronic level. Camber at empty should be 5 to 6 degrees positive and at gross it will about neutral.(0 degrees).
 
    I suggest that you use 1000 lbs as your target weight. (500 lbs per wing)  I went to the building material supply and purchased 16 x 8 x 8 concrete blocks that weighed about 30 lbs each. They were easy to stack on the wing surfaces and they can be used for a project afterwards.  Reinhard Metz suggested (water softener) salt bags at 40# /ea. Good idea if you have need for the salt.

Need pictures?  I can send via email if needed.
 

Additional details will be published when Bob is finished with the installation and alignment.