Composite Leading Edge

[desertfox1]

I have some pictures of Bill Prokes installing LLE on a SS wing.
The PVC guide blocks had been bonded on. The new parts
come in two pieces, joined on number 5 rib. It took about 2
hours to fit, trim and Hysol the wing. The trim saw Bill used
was almost magic. Fast, very little glass dust. Sure looks
good after covering.

Desert Fox 1

[SSFoxBuilder]

Does anybody know why the composite "Laker" leading edge wasn't designed to completely cover the top false ribs? Was this for aerodynamic or aesthetic purposes? Weight savings, possibly?

[desertfox1]

The airfoil designer, Harry Riblett, asked for at least 6" from
the leading edge. We met the requirement for aerodynamic
purposes and stretched just a little for appearance. Weight
is allways a consideration.

Phil

[SSFoxBuilder]

Noted. Thanks for the insight!

[avidflyer]

Does this system extend out past the front spar, and if so how much. I know that the Kitfox 4 used a plastic piece glued to the front spar to extend and streamline it, does this fiberglass piece take the place of that plastic extention? Both of the Avid Flyer MK IVs I've owned used a sheet of aluminum which was glued to the spar and covered the falseribs. It didn't extend the front spar forward however. Thanks, Jim Chuk

[jiott]

Yes it does use small pieces of the plastic extrusion placed at intervals along the front spar to make the fiberglass leading edge conform to the shape and spacing of the original full length extrusion.

Jim

[jrevens]

I notice that Bill has used clecos to hold it down after application of the Hysol. Do you remove them before full cure, or coat them with something to avoid sticking & allow removal after cure, or are rivets installed (& if so, what type)? Could you clarify the procedure... I'll be doing it fairly soon. Also, exactly what saw did you use for trimming & scalloping the fiberglass? Could you describe that process? Are the 2 sections overlapped or butted at the #5 ribs?

Sorry for so many questions at once!

[HighWing]

Clecos are used extensively during construction of the Lancair. Top and bottom fuselage sections are like long canoe shapes that are Hysoled to gether with clecos every few inches. Wing skins, stabilizer halves - everythinhg. We never coated them with anything and we cleaned them up when necessary with the cleco held in the pliers against a wire brush on one end of a bench grinder.
Lowell

[desertfox1]

Right Lowell, most don't need cleaning. We cleco the parts on before
trimmimg to mark the ribs and false ribs with a sharpie. Then using a
simple pattern the scallops were drawn. Using an inexpensive saw
from Harbor Freight they were trimmed, hysol applied and clecoed
untill cured. When using a saw like ths the fiberglas needs to be
supported with a 2x4, cuts clean and with little dust.

Phil

[jrevens]

Thanks, Phil & Lowell! That's what I needed to know. Having built an all-metal airplane, I've used clecos a lot, but not with epoxy. In the areas that they have been necessary on the Kitfox project, I have been pulling them & cleaning in alcohol after installing rivets & before the epoxy set. Thanks for the tip about the saw!