Inspection rings

jimboflying

MEMBER

• Feb 17, 2020

• #1

I have had a few inspection rings crack while in flight which are not so fun to fix. So I fabricated some with Carbon Fiber prepreg fabric and some with Dacron prepreg fabric. The result is that the Carbon fiber is very stiff and the Dacron is much more flexible. Which do you think would work best? Neither will break!.

 

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Gordon Misch

MEMBER

Toledo, Wa (KTDO)

• Feb 17, 2020

• #2

Flexible, cuz very stiff might cut into fabric at the edges?

 

mike mcs repair

Registered User

chugiak AK

• Feb 17, 2020

• #3

the real question is what the glue will bond too well, for a long time... maybe leave some bare fabric?

 

D

DENNY

SPONSOR

• Feb 18, 2020

• #4

I think Steve has some made out of Aluminum. That is what I would consider.
DENNY

 

Steve Pierce

BENEFACTOR

Graham, TX

• Feb 18, 2020

• #5

I would use the stiffer ones and put a fabric dollie over it.

 

B

bob turner

Registered User

• Feb 18, 2020

• #6

I would use Steve's aluminum ones, or have some cut out of aluminum locally. And plus one on the doilys.

Every once in a while an inspection plate disappears - especially since we use the 99 cent versions instead of the $22 original Piper plates. Punch a hole about 45 degrees from the spring and run a #4 PK screw in to the Pierce ring.

The plastic rings won't hold the PK screw, and they do crack. Solution after the fact is aluminum segments glued inside the wing. I use Pliobond and clamp overnight.

At least do the PK screws in the slipstream.

 

aktango58

FRIEND

18AA

• Feb 19, 2020

• #7

I am testing a Carbon Concepts inspection panel under the tank on the Maule replacing the one(s) that keep blowing off. Still there after quite a while.

 

mike mcs repair

Registered User

chugiak AK

• Feb 19, 2020

• #8

DENNY said:

..made out of Aluminum. ..
DENNY

Click to expand...

have seen that, but a few years later they come loose.... I did not install them, just observed it... might be installer issue, or surface oxidation?

 

Steve Pierce

BENEFACTOR

Graham, TX

• Feb 19, 2020

• #9

mike mcs repair said:

have seen that, but a few years later they come loose.... I did not install them, just observed it... might be installer issue, or surface oxidation?

Click to expand...

I have aluminum inspection rings that have been installed for 20 plus years, no issue whatsoever. I always install a fabric dollie over the grommet.

 

B

bob turner

Registered User

• Feb 19, 2020

• #10

Me too. Encapsulate that puppy.

My first recover I was looking for those weird shaped celluloid cutouts that go at the back of the stab - Ken Smith, in 1968, told me to just cut them out of aluminum.

Still in use, 51 years and two cover jobs later. Still hold #4 PK screws.