Fuselage Fabric
- mhcrowder
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2004 9:18 am
- Location: Cary, NC
- Contact:
Re: Fuselage Fabric
We got the fabric shrunk and 300F was where we stopped with just a very slight scalloping of the bottom longerons.
Next question. What size and shape is recommended for the Elevator openings on the fuselage? Is a standard size inspection ring big enough or should I make a custom size "ring" out of aluminum? Do most install covers on these or leave them open? I think I've seen one Highlander with plexiglass covers for easy inspections.
Next question. What size and shape is recommended for the Elevator openings on the fuselage? Is a standard size inspection ring big enough or should I make a custom size "ring" out of aluminum? Do most install covers on these or leave them open? I think I've seen one Highlander with plexiglass covers for easy inspections.
Building Highlander #371
http://highlander371.blogspot.com/
http://highlander371.blogspot.com/
- danerazz
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 1245
- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:33 pm
- Location: Bangor
Re: Fuselage Fabric
Not definitive, but a standard ring should work. Just make sure you bias its position aft and down, the horizontal stab should be more or less against the front-inside of the ring and the ring should be just high enough that the elevator cross tube should not hit the ring at full-up deflection. This will give you more room to install the bolt that attaches the pushrod-cle is to the elevator horn. If you center the ring vertically you may have trouble installing the bolt.
And don’t forget the elevator cross tube is AFT of the hinge line, so it moves up and down in an arc.
And don’t forget the elevator cross tube is AFT of the hinge line, so it moves up and down in an arc.
Dane
Paralysis by analysis
#242
Paralysis by analysis
#242
- Tralika
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 387
- Joined: Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:49 pm
- Location: Wasilla Alaska
Re: Fuselage Fabric
I used .020 aluminum and made a cover with left over windshield lexan attached with PK screws. I made the base in the shape of a standard inspection ring but if I had it to do over, I would make it oblong so it would be easier to access the bolts on the elevator control arm. If you make it with a standard inspection ring it may be a very tight fit to get the lexan between the horizontal stab and fuselage fabric. I suggest you make a template so after the fuselage is covered, you can locate the exact position needed to get access to those bolts for the elevator control arm. If you don't locate that opening correctly the only way to install/remove those bolts is by reaching up through the bottom opening in the fuselage. That is something you do not want to do.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
John Nealon
Wasilla, Alaska
Highlander Extreme #191
mykitlog.com/jnealon
Wasilla, Alaska
Highlander Extreme #191
mykitlog.com/jnealon
- mhcrowder
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2004 9:18 am
- Location: Cary, NC
- Contact:
Re: Fuselage Fabric
Great Feedback guys. We made some larger rings out of 0.020 Aluminum and made sure that we can get to the bolts and to account for the Elevator movement. We'll probably pre-drill some holes in the aluminum before attaching to the fuselage fabric. But we're moving forward!
Building Highlander #371
http://highlander371.blogspot.com/
http://highlander371.blogspot.com/
- gkremers
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 495
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 8:06 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: Fuselage Fabric
I ended up making custom size inspection plates. Layed up several layers of 9oz fiberglass, added nut plates and like John used some plexiglass for the covering
Gary
Gary
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 357
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2015 11:40 am
- Location: Cave Creek, AZ
Re: Fuselage Fabric
How did you attach those? Are they two pieces for each side, an inside and outside to sandwich the fabric? Just glue in place?
Thanks,
Clark
Thanks,
Clark
Building SuperSTOL Kit 512
Cave Creek, AZ
Cave Creek, AZ
- gkremers
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 495
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 8:06 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: Fuselage Fabric
Clark,
One per side, glued on and covers similar to other plates. I traced out the nut plates and burned the fabric before installing so they would lay flush on the fabric. The fuselage was in a rotisserie stand so it was easy to create the exact fiberglass shape over 2 mil plastic. You can also see the gap in the fiberglass rings where the horizontal stab mounts in the previous pictures.
One per side, glued on and covers similar to other plates. I traced out the nut plates and burned the fabric before installing so they would lay flush on the fabric. The fuselage was in a rotisserie stand so it was easy to create the exact fiberglass shape over 2 mil plastic. You can also see the gap in the fiberglass rings where the horizontal stab mounts in the previous pictures.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- danerazz
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 1245
- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:33 pm
- Location: Bangor