Rivets in place of Rib Stiching

[Jim Herpst]

is there an STC for rivets What rivets are folks using . I do not want to do rib stitching on a 1946 stamped rib plane! My fathers 46 he and his partner did this once. Would like to hear what STC if any exists for the rivets and how to go about using what ever sized recommended...also does one use washers?

[Mark Bowden]

Tim's 337 is at the old foundation website, scroll down the page. Same place as replacing the wire with rib stitching further down on the page.

https://www.taylorcraft.org/resources.html

[Scott]

recent discussion on the various options:

https://vb.taylorcraft.org/forum/taylorcraft/everyday-taylorcraft-discussion/12656-fabric-attach-methods-that-are-legal

[waltermrich]

When I did my wing 4 years ago, the Taylorcraft rib wire was almost unavailable, so I contacted Terry Boden a DER who has authority to issue conformity paper work to make things legal . I received the paper work to install Fabric rivets , it takes about 400 per wing, they were easy to install with a light under the wing and a semi dark workshop you can easily see the empty holes where the rib wing wire was supposed to be and where the rivets were placed, The paper work was not that much and the fabric rivets are available from Aircraft Spruce or same rivet from Wicks Areo a lot cheaper. Im sure Terry would be happy to help you he does use this Forum, and does have a Taylorcraft.

[astjp2]

Stick with the rib lacing, rivets can damage the ribs when you need to remove for recover or repair. Get the STC idea out of your head, field approval is all you need.

[waltermrich]

Removing fabric rivets from an uncovered rib will not damage them, holding the bottom of the rib with a needle nose pliers and drilling out the top shank with the right drill bit will release the rivet from its grip.

[Scott]

High probability that at least some of the holes are damaged already as the original wire can tear the ribs during installation and removal.

one of the approvals i saw called for drilling all new holes, which is likely the only option if you want to end up with consistent spacing.

[Jim Herpst]

Thank you guys for all the input. I will not be surprised to find some of the holes damaged as Scott suggested. We will see. I am not interested in rib stitching the web ribs. I know plenty have been stitched and have held up just fine. The original was wired due to time savings .Mine will be rivet's. My bet is old CG would be doing that today. All in all the web rib "package" was set up for an easier and foolproof attachment method as the original built up ribs did not allow any thing but rib stitching.

[Robert Lees]

Huskys (Huskies?) by Aviat are all riveted. I like that method for stamped ali ribs. Quick to install, quick to remove for a recover job (which I've done on a few Husky aircraft).

You do need the proper "fabric rivets", they are not expensive, no washers required because they have their own built-in. Available from any of the normal aviation supply places.

Rob