wing and aileron nails

[Guest]

Re: wing and aileron nails

There is a similar deficiency on Aeronca ailerons.

They are all aluminum and the belcrank is at the inboard end rather than the middle like Tayorcraft.

The Aeronca aileron spar cracks at the middle of the aileron where the first hinge is. Perhaps due to frozen aileron bearings that increase the torque load or merely due to the normal torque load.

Many Aeroncas are out there flying like that. So I guess aileron design was not perfected in the 1940's.

Dave R.

[Scott]

Re: wing and aileron nails

Perhaps I haven't been clear... I'm not suggesting any immediate action is necessary. Just the opposite, there is no imminent significant failure here, no history of problems.

It appears the spars outlast the fabric, and the ailerons are sound enough to reliably do the job.

I am trying to bring attention to an issue that can be easily, effectively, and inexpensively addressed at the time of re-cover. Something to help planning and budgeting ie expect to need to replace the spars, bend 16 rib attach angles, add a handful of 3/32 rivets and some extra nails. It's not necessarily obvious what's going on here and it I couldn't see putting ailerons back together at time of rebuild without adding a simple improvement.
S

[Guest]

Re: wing and aileron nails

Hi Scott,

I think that you have been clear. I never got the impression of impending doom.

Dave R

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: wing and aileron nails

Sounds like a plan. Don't sweat it unless you feel some play in a positive control check. When a recover is done, add doubles under the bolted parts, clean up any bad wood and add the angles. Minor work if you are already recovering.

Hank

This is the way the Tribe is supposed to work!