Fabric peels off a Schweizer 1-26 wing

I got this from oratex Facebook page from a few years ago but you get the idea

From the Oratex brochure:

"Be sure to apply reinforcing tapes to the wing ribs, before rib-stitching/lacing or pop riveting is done (or whatever primary method of attachment the original aircraft design specifies). Finishing tapes are going to cover this up. If your design calls for rib stitching, the tapes will go over the stitching. If it calls for rivets, the tapes will go over the rivets. Just as you applied extra glue to the fabric seam, you also should apply extra glue to the rivets and rib stitching to prevent air bubbles under the tapes. After the rib tapes you apply the leading and trailing edge tapes."

If the cap strips were deemed wide enough, using only glue was approved with Oratex. This was only the case on aircraft that didn't require rib stitching or rivets etc. by the manufacturer. Therefore, if no stitching or rivets, no reinforcement tapes or finish tapes required.

Steve Pierce said:

I wonder if the fabric wore through at a contact point from age and cycles. The fabric under the stabilizer of my Super Cub wore through at the top longeron and made a nice long gash in the fabric.

Click to expand...

I suspect lack of dope on the trailing edge, deteriorated from UV along the trailing edge and subsequent failure.

Lots of cover jobs end up with minimal dope on either their trailing edge or leading edge based on how the wing was hanging when they spray. Always make sure you have full coverage!


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Just one bad batch of glue away from disaster. No thanks on trusting the glue alone to hold the fabric on.

I think we know the owner of that Oratex Carbon Cub. My Dad built a Kitfox model III years ago and the fabric was glued to the ribs no issue. Probably has a lot to do with the width of the rib and Vne.

From Oratex: IF the original manufacturer called for rib stitching then by all means use rib stitching!


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