Strut Fitting Insp

[Pearson]

Are any of you that are recovering a fuselage including any kind of inspection access for the lower strut attach fitting? I was considering just glueing in some of that white plastic stuff to screw an aluminum cover to. Or would there be any benefit to welding a piece of metal to the longeron in the shape of the opening? That would give something more substantial to screw a cover onto.

[Dan Michaels]

Re: Strut Fitting Insp

I have mine appart right now. This is what I have found. You can see a lot from the inside, just remove the interior panel.

It takes very little time to remove the lower strut bolt and remove the step and lower the strut. I used a ladder to hold up the wing. Pad on top of course.

With the strut and step removed you can see everything not to mention clean any thing out that does not need to be there.

Dan

[Pearson]

Re: Strut Fitting Insp

Dan,

I agree, you can see a lot from the inside. But according to the AD you are supposed to have a half inch (I think) opening around the entire fitting. Obviously I will do a thorough inspection, and have the AD signed off, before I glue on fabric. But I was thinking of the possiblitiy of this AD becoming a recurring thing, and how nice it would be to not have to tear the insides out for each new inspection.

I am just trying to get an idea of what others are doing concerning this.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Strut Fitting Insp

I'd sure be putting in a plastic, metal or wood "frame" around that fitting if I were re-covering a Taylorcraft now.

There was a previous thread or previous post on this from me, regarding a cover plate or fairing in this area. IMHO it would be a REALLY good idea to figure out some sort of cover/fairing that allowed water to drain out through a seaplane grommet type of "reverse scoop" under this fitting.

You could weld in tabs to attach a .063 aluminum frame, then screw a plate onto that frame. That would be a high class way to do it. However, it can also easily be done with no welding if you pay a little attention to workmanship. You could make a frame that attaches to the tube structure with Adel clamps instead of welding. You would have to do this after the primer was on, and then prime the inside of the Adel clamp to prevent dis-similar metal corrosion.

It is also definitely possible to simply install the metal frame with fabric cement from the inside after the airplane is covered, then cut the fabric from the inside of the frame (remembering to fold the fabric around inside the frame and glue it to the inside). Int his case it is probably wise to make the frame a little wider and out of thicker metal so the fabric tension does not distort it after it is cut.

Yes this is a pain in the ass, but it is important to be able to inspect this area. You, me, your IA, and your Friendly Aviation Administrator will all sleep better.

[Dan Michaels]

Re: Strut Fitting Insp

I took a look at mine and I see that an aluminum piece could be fabricated and bent so that it could just be screwed on the the bracket itself. There are two flat angles that the fabric is glued to now. Just drill two small holes and attach using and under bend to keep it secure to the top part. You are drilling through two flat steel pieces so it should not be a problem.

Dan

[Pearson]

Re: Strut Fitting Insp

Dan,

In the photos you posted it looks like a patch around your attach fitting. Is that where you had to cut the fabric for the inspection? Or is it just a reinforcement of the fabric?

I liked Bill's idea of welding some tabs on, then screwing on a piece of aluminum so you can have something to glue fabric to.

My main concern is keeping rain out of whatever cover I end up designing. So far, the only way I have come up with is to glue in some sort of frame and then fabric over it. Then you would have to cut away the fabric on the inside of the frame for each inspection.

[Dan Michaels]

Re: Strut Fitting Insp

Dan,

In the photos you posted it looks like a patch around your attach fitting. Is that where you had to cut the fabric for the inspection? Or is it just a reinforcement of the fabric?

I liked Bill's idea of welding some tabs on, then screwing on a piece of aluminum so you can have something to glue fabric to.

My main concern is keeping rain out of whatever cover I end up designing. So far, the only way I have come up with is to glue in some sort of frame and then fabric over it. Then you would have to cut away the fabric on the inside of the frame for each inspection.

I did not do that fabric work I am just repainting it. It looks like he did just make a patch to strengthen the fitting area. I cut it back 1/2 inch (not shown). One thing about covering something up so water cannot get in is that it has a hard time getting back out also. If you are just worried about ground dew and such it is gone very fast in flight. If you are flying in the rain quite a bit well you may need to do something. There are so many holes on this plane that I hardly think it matters.

Dan