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Flaperon fixation rivets

 
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Michel



Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:40 am    Post subject: Flaperon fixation rivets Reply with quote

Hello Kitfoxer,
On behalf of Jean-Claude, a French Kitfox owner with limited English
knowledge, I'd like to ask a question.

He tells me that the the pop rivets fixing the link between the wing
and the flaperon are coming loose on the under side of the wing but not
on the top. He wonders if I know the reason and an eventual remedy.
Because I didn't build my Kitfox myself, I can't answer but ... I can
forward the question! Smile
He said he'll forward photos but I already ask you guys because in
three days, I'll be off on holidays, for two weeks. No, not flying,
unfortunately, but in our brand new RV we just bought. We'll visit my
old country: Belgium ... and anything else in between! Smile

Thanks in advance,

Michel Verheughe
Norway
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200


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PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:38 pm    Post subject: Flaperon fixation rivets Reply with quote

--- Michel Verheughe <michel(at)online.no> wrote:

Quote:
Hello Kitfoxer,
On behalf of Jean-Claude......

He tells me that the the pop rivets fixing the link
between the wing and the flaperon are coming loose
on the under side of the wing but not on the top.
He wonders if I know the reason and an eventual
remedy....

Thanks in advance,

Michel Verheughe
Norway
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

Hi Michel,

There are some differences between KitFox models in
how the flapperons were attached. What model does he
have?

Next, it is a good idea to install backing plates in
the tails of each rib that the flapperon brackets
attach to so that the rivets will not pull thru the
wood ribs. A simple piece of alum that is bent on 2
sides to fit agains the rib web and top and bottom
caps works well. Do both sides of the rib web. But
you have to glue them down well, then drill the rivet
holes slowly so as not to break one loose after
covering. That holds the rivets much better than the
wood does alone. Don't use thin alum here. Make it
strong.

One thing that can break the bottoms free first is
pulling flaps down at too high a speed, or retracting
them too late after takeoff. That is when the bending
force on the brackets is highest and it pulls the
bottoms while pushing the tops. The bottom pulling
force is the weaker link, but once loose, the tops
will follow.

Hard, large control movements at higher speeds also
put a big load on the brackets.

To repair these now is difficult without recovering.
Jean-Claude could pull both wing tips off and look at
his flapperon brackets near the tips to see what is
wrong for sure. But he needs to fix it right away, or
he could get flutter or seperation of a flapperon in
flight.

If it has only wood and the rivets are pulling thru, I
don't think installing oversized rivets will last
long. Besides there is only so much metal width to
work with, or you weakened the thin brackets.

Inspection plates installed near each bracket rib
might allow repair without recovering. Removing the
old rivets, epoxy repair the wood ribs, install
backing plates, redrilling and reinstalling the
brackets is how I would do it. If he can do this thru
inspection plates, that is good. If not, he needs to
fully repair and recover the wings.

Maybe someone else has another way or experience that
will do better?

Kurt Schrader
S-5/NSI turbo
Florida and panama

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Michel



Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:10 pm    Post subject: Flaperon fixation rivets Reply with quote

Hello Kurt,

On Jul 9, 2007, at 10:37 PM, kurt schrader wrote:
Quote:
What model does he have?

I don't remember but it is certainly a model 3 or 4. Nearly all
European Kitfoxes are 3 or 4; I don't know why.
Anyway, what you write makes a lot of sense and I will translate and
forward it to Jean-Claude. Thanks again.

Cheers,
Michel Verheughe
Norway
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

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PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:20 pm    Post subject: Flaperon fixation rivets Reply with quote

Michel,

After reading Kurt's thoughts, I think he is spot on. On reading my manual,
there might be an issue with the aluminum rivets. If it was overstressed
and backing plates are in fact in place it might mean stretched rivets. In
that case, maybe replacing the rivets one at a time might work. I would
hesitate drilling then out all at once because if the backing plate are
loose - mine came loose while drilling unless clamped - It would be
essentially worthless as they would float out of the way and the rivets
would not catch them.

Lowell Fitt
Cameron Park, CA
Model IV-1200 R-912 UL Warp
1998 870 hrs.
---


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Michel



Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

PostPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:49 am    Post subject: Flaperon fixation rivets Reply with quote

On Jul 10, 2007, at 1:19 AM, Lowell Fitt wrote:
Quote:
In that case, maybe replacing the rivets one at a time might work.

Thank you, Lowell. That will be good news for him ... if there is an
aluminium backing already there. I'll forward the message.

Cheers,
Michel Verheughe
Norway
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

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kitfoxmike



Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

PostPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:37 am    Post subject: Re: Flaperon fixation rivets Reply with quote

All suggestions are great ones. I would personally drill one rivet out and look inside for the aluminum plate on the inside, if it's there I would go with the next size rivet, if it's NOT there, I would concider taking off the covering and redueing the brackets.

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