wing atach brackets XL

[grdev]

Has anyone changed the angle the 1/8" aluminum brackets bolt onto the spars so you can achieve a little more head room? Anyone see any problems doing so? By bringing the brackets down at an angle it is possible to have the bottom of the wing even with or higher than the center longeron directly above your head. It would be similar to the DE attachments.

[Tom H]

Gil, one thing to consider is that the force from the normal, positive G wing lift is pushing straight into the fuselage, pretty much in line with the wing spar.  Relatively not too much vertical force at this point.

I have not seen the LEXL plans.  If the fittings are similar to the LEU design, they are straight 1" wide, 1/8" alum strips aligned with the spar, and in line with the primary forces.  If you change the angle of the fittings, they will not be in line with the force, and may not be up to the task.

I don't have the DE plans at hand, but, from memory, the wing root fittings do attach to the spars at a down angle to allow more head room, but are more robust, both in attachment area to the spar and they are steel.  I know the DE is heavier and forces are larger, but similar principles apply.

[grdev]

Tom, the XL brackets are 1/8" 6061 1"wide stock. The DE brackets are steel and much wider. That is one of the first things I noticed about the XL brackets and wondered how they could be so much smaller in size. I can always lower my seat a little to attain more head room
Thanks for the information
gil

[grdev]

Industriamletalsales.com has 1/8" x 1" x 12" 6061 T6 flat stock for .075 ea.

[Mike Gracey]

I think Sam did something like that to get more head room.  I raised my top tube 2 inchs at both ends and lowered my seat aswell.

[Vince Carucci]

I've noticed on the LE plans that they call for aluminum mounting brackets for the wings. Is there any concern about the bi-metallic contact where they mount to the fuselage? I thought such a pairing could lead to a condition called galvanic corrosion. There are a few other places were aluminum and steel meet. Has anyone seen this type of corrosion, is painting protection enough, or am I wrong about aluminum and steel mating surfaces?

Vince

[Sam Buchanan]

I've noticed on the LE plans that they call for aluminum mounting brackets for the wings. Is there any concern about the bi-metallic contact where they mount to the fuselage? I thought such a pairing could lead to a condition called galvanic corrosion. There are a few other places were aluminum and steel meet. Has anyone seen this type of corrosion, is painting protection enough, or am I wrong about aluminum and steel mating surfaces?

Vince

Vince, theoretically you are correct.

Practically...it is a non-issue.....at least within our lifetimes.