Wing gap seal
Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 7:46 pmFor whatever reason, my plans-built wing root doublers, after being trimmed to the correct dimension off the fuselage, do not allow the rubber gap seals to fit.
The problem is that the edge of doublers for at least 50% or more of their length, are nearly flush with the inner most rib. So there is a zero distance between the edge of the doubler and the face of the rib, or very nearly zero. That means the channel of the gap seal has nothing to hold onto for 50% of the wing roots.
Has anyone else had this issue (probably more of a plans-built issue)?
My current solution is to try a P-shaped seal where I can double-stick-tape the seal onto the face of the rib so it gets "squished" between the rib and the fuselage, and will bulge slightly above the top surface of the root doubler. But this only works for the 50%. At the other 50%, the distance from the rib to the fuselage side is more correct, and the seal won't squish.
I don't think adhering the the gap seal to the top of the doublers is a viable solution. It will likely come off in short order. And I have polished wings, so I'd have a hard time working the buffer around the seal without it knocking the seal off.
If anyone else has any bright ideas I'm open.
Mike Smith
#439
The problem is that the edge of doublers for at least 50% or more of their length, are nearly flush with the inner most rib. So there is a zero distance between the edge of the doubler and the face of the rib, or very nearly zero. That means the channel of the gap seal has nothing to hold onto for 50% of the wing roots.
Has anyone else had this issue (probably more of a plans-built issue)?
My current solution is to try a P-shaped seal where I can double-stick-tape the seal onto the face of the rib so it gets "squished" between the rib and the fuselage, and will bulge slightly above the top surface of the root doubler. But this only works for the 50%. At the other 50%, the distance from the rib to the fuselage side is more correct, and the seal won't squish.
I don't think adhering the the gap seal to the top of the doublers is a viable solution. It will likely come off in short order. And I have polished wings, so I'd have a hard time working the buffer around the seal without it knocking the seal off.
If anyone else has any bright ideas I'm open.
Mike Smith
#439