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aileron gap seal advice request

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Jimmy Young

Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 182
Location: Missouri City, TX

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:01 pm Post subject: aileron gap seal advice request

Kolb Folks,



I need to replace my deteriorated clear-tape gap seals with PolyFiber tape. 



Need to know if when using Poly tape if you only do one side, & if so, top or bottom. I'm assuming top? 



I removed my seals today and went for a flight-gap seals off, noticed  my Kob pulls more to the right than she used to. Also noticed in turbulence I need to apply quite a bit more stick pressure to level the wings, so it's obvious the gap seals help in control authority. Stall speed is the same, cruise speed is the same, but she just doesn't have the easy finger-tip control she had before.



Ready for suggestions,

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_________________
Jimmy Young
Missouri City, TX
Kolb FS II/HKS 700

frank.goodnight(at)att.ne
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:37 am Post subject: aileron gap seal advice request

Hi Jim,

  

 I Know your plane is prettier than mine -----but---- the best thing I have found for gap seals , after useing

 both pollyfiber and the clear (book repair tape from  Kolb ) is two strips of 2in, gorrilla tape one with

 the sticky side up and and the other one sticky side down. Easy to put on and Easy to take off should you

 need  to make a repair, plus it lasts a long time,I also use a strip of it for leading edge protection.

 Stay warn and dry. It's been a little cool here in Ark.

 Frank

  



 

   From: Jimmy Young <jdy100(at)comcast.net>

To: kolb-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Sat, January 22, 2011 6:01:54 PM

Subject: aileron gap seal advice request



--> Kolb-List message posted by: "Jimmy Young" <jdy100(at)comcast.net (jdy100(at)comcast.net)>



Kolb Folks,



I need to replace my deteriorated clear-tape gap seals with PolyFiber tape. 



Need to know if when using Poly tape if you only do one side, & if so, top or bottom. I'm assuming top? 



I removed my seals today and went for a flight-gap seals off, noticed  my Kob pulls more to the right than she used to. Also noticed in turbulence I need to apply quite a bit more stick pressure to level the  wings, so it's obvious the gap seals help in control authority. Stall speed is the same, cruise speed is the same, but she just doesn't have the easy finger-tip control she had before.



Ready for suggestions,



--------

Jimmy Young

Missouri City, TX

Kolb FS II/HKS 700





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 [quote][b]

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John Bickham

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 170
Location: St. Francisville, LA

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:01 am Post subject: Re: aileron gap seal advice request

Hey Jimmy,



This is what I did and got good results for +10 years now.

Early on I noticed a lot of cracking in the gap seals of various Kolbs using the recommended method.  I think that 2" tapes were the standard.  This method kinda produced a hard crease, like an upside down "V". I used a 3" tape that is folded back and doubled for about 6 inches on the ends for strength.  The 3" tape produces more of a roll than a hard crease that is less prone to cracking, IMHO.



After over 10 years, just starting to see a little cracking in gap seals on inboard flap in.  I use them flaps a lot at Nauga!!  Simply my experience and opinion.

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_________________
Thanks too much,

John Bickham
Mark III-C w/ 912UL
St. Francisville, LA

I know many pilots and a few true aviators. There is a distinct difference that I have the greatest respect for.

Jimmy Young

Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 182
Location: Missouri City, TX

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: aileron gap seal advice request

 	  Quote: 	
		  I Know your plane is prettier than mine 	




Frank, I've never seen your Kolb so I can't comment on that. Maybe one day we can meet somewhar & check each other's Firestar out.



Back to the finishing tape method for a gap seal, I'd like to see a pic of someone's Kolb done that way if anyone has a photo handy. I was looking it over today and it seems one layer over the top laid down with the flaperons in the down position would do the trick. What I need to know is, do I need one on the bottom as well? If it's just for looks only, I'll go on top. If it has much, if any, effectiveness to add one on the bottom, then I'll do that as well.

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_________________
Jimmy Young
Missouri City, TX
Kolb FS II/HKS 700

pj.ladd(at)btinternet.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:46 am Post subject: aileron gap seal advice request

What I need to know is, do I need one on the bottom as well? If it's just 

for looks only, I'll go on top>>



Hi Jimmy,

It definitely is not `for looks only` it is for efficiency. The tape should 

go from the top surface of the wing to the underside of the aileron.

On the other hand I have seen gliders, who REALLY worry about things like 

that and fit ailerons/elevaters/rudder to much tighter tolerances than a 

Kolb, use a tape to connect both TOP surfaces. Might be worth talking to a 

glider pilot who is current about it. My gliding experience is many years 

out of date.



Cheers



Pat

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by0ung(at)brigham.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:17 am Post subject: aileron gap seal advice request

What I need to know is, do I need one on the bottom as well? If it's just  

for looks only, I'll go on top>>



Hi Jimmy,

It definitely is  not `for looks only` it is for efficiency. The tape should 

go from the top  surface of the wing to the underside of the aileron.

Cheers



Pat  

 	  Quote: 	
		  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  
	


 i did mine the way pat describes...   but  i used book binding tape,  found an exact match,,,  used 2 inch wide  tape, overlalped sticky side to stick side 1 inch,,,  leaving 1 inch sticky  to attach to the top of wind and 1 inch sticky to attach to bottom of  aileron.   i guess you could do it with polly fiber,,, but not 100 %  sure how to keep a straight line when gluing the inside line on the strip.   maybe you could use some type of silicone tape.  

  

 boyd young mkiii

 utah

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