Aileron Installation after wing is covered

[CHARLES DEBOER]

Has anyone covered their LE-XL wing and discovered that the aileron pivot pin is still on the work bench?  Fortunately I installed an inspection ring at that location.  Is this a GOT YA that should be added to the build notes?  Did I miss it?  Should there be a note:  INSTALL AILERON BEFORE COVERING THE WING.

[Bob S.]

I built my wing and covered without ailerons installed... Put access point inboard of hinge for that.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

I built my wing and covered without ailerons installed... Put access point inboard of hinge for that. [/quote][/i]


What did you use?  Inspection ring or something else?

[Bob S.]

Yeah, an Inspection ring....After covering both the wing and aileron, I used my soldering iron and cut out the center of the inspection ring to put the bolt and safety wired it in place....The outside bolt went in from the outside so no biggie there... I did that AFTER all covering and painting,,,,
I put the aileron in place before paint just to be sure there wasn't a warp after shrinking...just didn't put the hinge bolts in permanently till after painting....

[CHARLES DEBOER]

What did you use to re-cover the hole in the inspection plate?  Any bonding problems over the paint when covering the inspection hole?

[Sam Buchanan]

What did you use to re-cover the hole in the inspection plate?  Any bonding problems over the paint when covering the inspection hole?

I used a standard inspection cover:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/inspectplate.php?recfer=21070



It fits in a standard inspection ring:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/inspectring.php?recfer=21070



Cut out the hole inside the ring after painting the wing and pop in the cover. You can see the cover in this photo:

[Bob S.]

When putting the plastic ring on the covering you have to cover it with an additional piece of covering ....called a doily...basically a "spot" of covering a bit larger than the ring which is 'glued' OVER the plastic ring then the center is cut out for the access...the ring is to locate the aluminum cover. It is raised around the perimeter to catch the edge of the cover...... and the springs inside hold everything together (hopefully).

[CHARLES DEBOER]

Thanks guys,  it is kind of like remembering to slide your ribs onto the rear spar before adding the 1/8 " doubler to the spar.  Or, remember to make a left and right wing.  I got all into the covering process and forgot to install the aileron, hinge bolt and safety wire.

[Sam Buchanan]

Covering a wing without ailerons installed is the correct way to do it. You did it right.  

You just didn't know that adding inspection rings was part of the cover process. Now you do. How could you inspect and maintain the hinge bolt with no inspection cover?   

Thanks guys,  it is kind of like remembering to slide your ribs onto the rear spar before adding the 1/8 " doubler to the spar.  Or, remember to make a left and right wing.  I got all into the covering process and forgot to install the aileron, hinge bolt and safety wire.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

On my original post I did state that "fortunately I installed inspection rings".  That idea was learned by watching the Stewart system videos.  I just didn't know the correct procedure for installing the ailerons.  My list of materials XL-A67 doesn't list inspection rings .  I guess that is how a complete novice learns, trial and error and getting help from this great group.  Thank-you guys I really appreciate all the help I can get.

How many hours of flight are recommended before inspection of wing fittings?  I only installed five inspection rings.  Two at the wing root two at the jury strut mounts and one at the aileron hinge bolt.

[Sam Buchanan]

How many hours of flight are recommended before inspection of wing fittings?  I only installed five inspection rings.  Two at the wing root two at the jury strut mounts and one at the aileron hinge bolt.

Charles, you will get various answers on this one, but I like to inspect everything after 1 hour of flight, again at about 10-12, then annually after that. The point of these early inspections is to catch any unanticipated lapses in construction or wear issues so they can be corrected promptly. Once you are past the infant mortality phase the inspections can be spaced farther apart.

But that is just my way of doing things, use your best judgment. My airplanes are under continual inspection of visible items, hidden components are on a calendar schedule.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

Thanks, sounds like a good rule of thumb.