Ailerons

[denjand]

Hello All, I bought a BC-12D basket case serial no. 6858 and need to recover the ailerons. Please advise the method of replacing the aluminum skin on the leading edge. I have a few pictures but would like to see the drawings if possible.
Thanks, Dennis Andersen, Ferndale, WA

[astjp2]

Re: Ailerons

Welcome to the forum, I used small c-clamps and pulled the skins tight with a ratchet strap. Tim

[Robert Lees]

Re: Ailerons

Hello Dennis, and welcome to the Taylorcraft forum.

Are you sure that the aileron leading edges need replacing, or do they just need cleaning up? For sure, it's not a bad idea to take them off, in case the ribs (and indeed the wood spars) are showing the signs of age.

Rob

[denjand]

Re: Ailerons

Hello Dennis, and welcome to the Taylorcraft forum.

Are you sure that the aileron leading edges need replacing, or do they just need cleaning up? For sure, it's not a bad idea to take them off, in case the ribs (and indeed the wood spars) are showing the signs of age.

Rob

I got the plane as a basket case and the skins were missing. Have bought new aluminum but have not bent it yet. I see in popular mechanics that you can bend light metal in a door jam so might try that. Thanks for your reply.

Dennis

[denjand]

Re: Ailerons

Thanks, I had thought of that and might give it a try. Also it looked liked the factory used small sheet metal screws to attach the skin to the ribs. Is that how you did it?

Dennis

[Guest]

Re: Ailerons

It is also nailed to the spar. I can post a picture if that will help. You need to nail it to the spar on the same spacing as the factory as that provides part of the torsional strength as I recall it.

Dave

[N96337]

Re: Ailerons

Dennis, do you happen to know Paul Cullman? He lives on Meadowmist. (I used to live there too) He could help you with what you're doing. There's another Tcraft going together in B'ham, by Lyle Jansma...you might try to get ahold of him too.
Good luck!
John

[Robert Lees]

Re: Ailerons

I got the plane as a basket case and the skins were missing. Have bought new aluminum but have not bent it yet. I see in popular mechanics that you can bend light metal in a door jam so might try that. Thanks for your reply.

Dennis

Ah. I see. Try the pic attached to see if that helps you. I have a bigger file version too, but needs sending via email. A lot of this info is from the L2 Drawings.
Yes, the leading edge is attached using PK screws.

Hope that helps,
Rob

Edit: Dennis: my blog of aileron rebuild might help you as well: http://www.taylorcraft.org.uk/Brey_rebuild-Ailerons.htm

[astjp2]

Re: Ailerons

I wont use stainless anymore, they are too soft and strip too easy. What alloy are you trying to use on the skins? I think it was 3so or 3 1/2 hard originally. Tim

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Ailerons

The problem with SS is that it is not only softer (weaker) than regular steel, but also much more cathodic. The screws will last fine, but they will corrode the aluminum and cause the holes in the skin to enlarge, allowing the screws to let go. When I was working on planes for the Navy we were VERY CAREFUL about substituting SS for steel in aluminum.

Hank

[Scott]

Re: Ailerons

the leading edge skins are small enough that you can form them by hand around a a piece of 11/2-2" pipe. Look on the EAA website for videos on using a shop vac for help form leading edges. I made a break of sorts out of wood, a pipe and door hinges screwed to the edge of my workbench to make the wing leading edges and a few other parts. My video is here: http://c-fclr.blogspot.ca/p/blog-page_5305.html This would make the aileron leading edges easy.

There are problems with the aileron design, specifically the very soft material used by the factory for the ribs and lack of support for same. In addition to Rob's blog have a look at my build up here http://c-fclr.blogspot.ca/p/ailerons.html