Matronics Email Lists :: View topic - Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Europa-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

skanderup

Joined: 10 Jan 2010
Posts: 11
Location: Denmark

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 8:36 am Post subject: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

I have reached the stage where it would be natural to fit the main landing gear as access is easy and the top moulding is not in the way yet, but according to the flow chart in the manual page 10T-1 I should not fit the main landing gear before the top moulding is fitted.

  

 My question is: Is it allright to fit the main landing gear before the top moulding?

  

 Kind regards,

 Allan Skanderup Nielsen

 Kit no. 0622, Denmark.

 		 	   		    [quote][b]

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

fklein(at)orcasonline.com
Guest

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 10:00 am Post subject: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

On May 25, 2011, at 9:33 AM, Allan Skanderup Nielsen wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   My question is: Is it allright to fit the main landing gear before the top moulding?

	




Allan,

Notwithstanding the sequence outlined in the Europa manual, I've done exactly what you're considering.

I did so however only after making a substantial "cradle" frame in which the lower half of the fuselage sits in a manner which ensures that the moulding is fully supported to maintain its shape. I also used clecos at 12" o.c. in order to be able to temporarily secure the upper fuselage to the lower half. In the process of doing this, I worked hard to ensure the fuselage was level and true by using my digital level and string lines fore and aft.

I don't regret a bit my decision to defer bonding the upper and lower fuselage mouldings together until the last possible moment.

Happy building,

Fred



 [quote][b]

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

g-iani(at)ntlworld.com
Guest

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 10:19 am Post subject: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

Allan

 

The cockpit module, once bonded in, makes the forward part of the aircraft very stiff.  I was advised back in 2001 that it would be OK and have now done two aircraft this way and both l worked  OK.

 

In addition I recommend that you fit everything you can think of before the top goes on.   With the top off these take half the time that they do later, with the top on.  Think about your cable and pipe runs and install clips for the cables, install the ground plane for the transponder, any supports for the rudder cable runs or cable adjusters.  While the top is off you can invert it to facilitate jobs such as the head lining panel, cable ducts up to the head lining,  stiffening support behind the fuel filler.

 

 So leave the top moulding off as long as possible.

 

 

Ian Rickard G-IANI XS Trigear, 300hours

Europa Club Mods Specialist

e-mail g-iani(at)ntlworld.com 

 

   [quote][b]

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

fklein(at)orcasonline.com
Guest

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 10:24 am Post subject: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

On May 25, 2011, at 9:33 AM, Allan Skanderup Nielsen wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  My question is: Is it allright to fit the main landing gear before the top moulding?

	




Allan,

I should add to my previous post that my plane is a monowheel, not a trigear.

Fred



 [quote][b]

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

budyerly(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 12:46 pm Post subject: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->  Alan,

 Not to but in, but the reason for putting the top on is that that makes the  fuselage quite stiff.  If the wing pins and tail plane tubes as  well as tail post are all square and level, it would also  be ridged enough to stay that way.  So when you jig the aircraft  to put the trigear on a closed out fuselage, any slight warpage from the  installation of the gear would be resisted.  

  

 Please note that with the top on, the glassing is challenging, you will  have some back aches, chest bruising and appreciate people who are five foot and  100 lbs. with see in the dark capability.

  

 With proper jigging it is quite easy to install the gear with the top  off.  As Ian and Fred have commented, it is far more comfortable spending  the time peering in over the side with an unobstructed view of your work.   It is necessary to build a platform for the fuselage that allows you to get the  tail and fuselage alignment spot on.  I even cleco on the top and prep for  glue up as it isn't perfectly square all the time right out of the box.  If  the one side of the top is cut 1 mm shorter than the other, you have a leaning  tail post.  Sometimes the tail plane tube is a bit off from the actual wing  pins so they need to be shored up to level. Put timbers from the floor to  the tail tube and shore up until level with the wing pins and I have always had  good luck with a nice straight aircraft.  I recommend gluing in your  baggage bay in as well.(Yes, I put the wing pins or bolts in the fuselage and  level the plane by putting a 40 inch long angle stock on the bar and compare to  the tailplane tube, rather than with a level across the seat back.   Leveling across the seat back has not been as reliable in my experience.)   Once jigged solid I can consider the gear.

  

  

 Once all jigged, then take your time to get the fuselage centerline scribed  or marked to the floor, then set your trigear angle stock jig piece  precisely.  Glue it all in place to the floor to prevent movement during  initial assembly.  Then do your leg assembly in an upright fashion with  good posture and lighting.  Cut paper templates of your gear braces out and  check for fit rather than trusting your templates.  The templates are very  close, but your holes will vary a little and a nip and tuck may be needed for a  good fit. The glass it up. Finally, the placement of wiring, brake  lines, fuel tubing, rudder cable guides and fairleads, autopilots, ELTs,  antennas, fuel drains, battery boxes, solenoids, tailplane trim bar travel, tie  downs, the baggage bay, flap drives, etc. can all be installed  comfortably.  I even trial fit my tabs on top of the tail post and cut my  bump stop before final glue up of the top. Just add Redux and glue on  the top when ready.  It is all about the prep.

  

 If you have problems jigging the aircraft in your shop, then by all means  put the top on, get someone five foot and 100 pounds and pay them to glass in  the gear.  If no person of that stature lives around you, then build up a  platform to stand on, buy some nice lighting which is cool and work from the  sides with plenty of ventilation.   It is hard on the back, but can be  done with only a couple days needed for back recovery.

  

 Only a neophyte looks at the top on the airplane and thinks, "there, the  fuselage is done, lets go fly". Better to have everything open until well  into the project then a closeout party later on when everything you can think of  is done on your punch list for the fuselage and wings internals.  No one  ever sees all the details inside that big simple model airplane shell, but those  details are the real part of aircraft building...

  

 Regards,

 Bud Yerly 

 Custom Flight Creations, Inc.

 Europa Tech Support

www.customflightcreations.com

(813)  653-4989 

  

  

 ---

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

kheindl(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 2:16 pm Post subject: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

Allan,



I agree with all the other builders. I did practically everything before putting the top on. Even painted the bottom, because that is easy in the inverted position. I had no need to crawl into the tail after the top was bonded on. When you put in all the wall and head lining, leave extra material along the edges so you can trim that off afterwards. Only the wings should be fitted AFTER the top is on.



Karl



From: allan_skanderup(at)hotmail.com

To: europa-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Europa-List: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 18:33:23 +0200



     .ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;}     I have reached the stage where it would be natural to fit the main landing gear as access is easy and the top moulding is not in the way yet, but according to the flow chart in the manual page 10T-1 I should not fit the main landing gear before the top moulding is fitted.

  

 My question is: Is it allright to fit the main landing gear before the top moulding?

  

 Kind regards,

 Allan Skanderup Nielsen

 Kit no. 0622, Denmark.

 		 	   		    [quote]



 target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

http://forums.matronics.com

="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



[b]

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

gregoryf.flyboy(at)comcas
Guest

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 3:14 pm Post subject: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

--->"Only the wings  should be fitted AFTER the top is on."

  

 I too, am trying to do everything with the top off, to  not have to crawl back into the dungeon of doom. One more climb will be needed  probably, to set the final position of the mass balance 'H' tower in the back,  even with its false fuselage hat. It conforms to the fuse, but does not seem to  adequately position itself with the top mounted  down.

  

  

 I am hoping that having clecoes every 3-4 inches on the  main fuselage, and every 2-3 inches (more where needed, in both cases) in the  tail area, and the top in its final pre-glue resting state including any  spacers, will be an adequate replacement for a glued-in fuse...to allow wing  lift and flap pin plus actuator installation, and not have them move  later. Seem ok? Anyone do this...or just thoughts? 

 

   



 



Allan, 



 I agree with all the other builders. I did practically everything before  putting the top on. Even painted the bottom, because that is easy in the  inverted position. I had no need to crawl into the tail after the top was bonded  on. When you put in all the wall and head lining, leave extra material along the  edges so you can trim that off afterwards. Only the wings should be fitted AFTER  the top is on.

 

 Karl





   [quote][b]

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

kheindl(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 5:07 pm Post subject: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

Greg,



I think I used clecoes to position the top, and then I had a load of small screws and I put them wherever I could see a gap. After about 5 hours of redux cure I undid the screws about 1/4 turn to make them easy to remove next day.

Karl

From: gregoryf.flyboy(at)comcast.net

To: europa-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 16:09:30 -0700



      .ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-top:0px;} .ExternalClass BODY.ecxhmmessage {font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;}     --->"Only the wings  should be fitted AFTER the top is on."

  

 I too, am trying to do everything with the top off, to  not have to crawl back into the dungeon of doom. One more climb will be needed  probably, to set the final position of the mass balance 'H' tower in the back,  even with its false fuselage hat. It conforms to the fuse, but does not seem to  adequately position itself with the top mounted  down.

  

  

 I am hoping that having clecoes every 3-4 inches on the  main fuselage, and every 2-3 inches (more where needed, in both cases) in the  tail area, and the top in its final pre-glue resting state including any  spacers, will be an adequate replacement for a glued-in fuse...to allow wing  lift and flap pin plus actuator installation, and not have them move  later. Seem ok? Anyone do this...or just thoughts? 

 

   



 



Allan, 



 I agree with all the other builders. I did practically everything before  putting the top on. Even painted the bottom, because that is easy in the  inverted position. I had no need to crawl into the tail after the top was bonded  on. When you put in all the wall and head lining, leave extra material along the  edges so you can trim that off afterwards. Only the wings should be fitted AFTER  the top is on.

 

 Karl





   [quote]



 target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

http://forums.matronics.com

="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



[b]

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

gregoryf.flyboy(at)comcas
Guest

Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 4:37 am Post subject: Fitting of main landing gear on XS-Tri

That's a great technique

 

 thanks  Karl!  



  Greg,

 



 I think I used clecoes to position the top, and then I had a load of small  screws and I put them wherever I could see a gap. After about 5 hours of redux  cure I undid the screws about 1/4 turn to make them easy to remove next  day.

 



 Karl



 



   [quote][b]

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Europa-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum