Leading Edge Access Panel

NavyS3BNFO · #1 07-20-2018, 10:15 AM

Anyone else notice that the fit of the left leading edge access panel (the one for the stall warning mechanism) is a little off? There is about an 1/8" gap all around the access panel. All the holes line up fine and it's on the bottom of the wing so no biggie. It's only cosmetic.

I could also make my own that fits better but I'm just surprised because everything else fits so well so whenever something doesn't fit just perfectly I assume I did something wrong!

1001001 · #2 07-20-2018, 10:49 AM

I think it depends on how much material you end up removing to smooth the edges. Mine (on the -10) has a similar gap (but not nearly as much as 1/8"). I'm not super happy with mine because I didn't do a very good job rounding the corners to match the inspection hole corner radii, but if it continues to bother me, I can always make another inspection cover.

MColman · #3 07-20-2018, 12:07 PM

I had the same issue with mine on the 8. Before I even de-burred the edges of the access panel, the fit was sloppy, with a large gap all around. I fabricated a new one that turned out marginally better.

NavyS3BNFO · #4 07-20-2018, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MColman

I had the same issue with mine on the 8. Before I even de-burred the edges of the access panel, the fit was sloppy, with a large gap all around. I fabricated a new one that turned out marginally better.

Thanks. Looks like I'm not the only one.

Carl Froehlich · #5 07-20-2018, 12:59 PM

It would be nice if Van's did not put the stall warning holes in the leading edge, or cut out for the access hole. With most builders installing AOA pitot tubes (and not use the clunky stall switch/vane), this just adds work to fill up holes.

Carl

rocketman1988 · #6 07-20-2018, 01:06 PM

Unfortunately, I installed that stall warning vane early on. Now I either live with it or remove it and patch the holes...

1001001 · #7 07-20-2018, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Froehlich

It would be nice if Van's did not put the stall warning holes in the leading edge, or cut out for the access hole. With most builders installing AOA pitot tubes (and not use the clunky stall switch/vane), this just adds work to fill up holes.

Carl

I plan to install both. Belt and suspenders. Probably will set the stall warning vane so it alarms very close to or just after actual stall.

I also considered installing the pitot/AOA on the right wing so I would have independent indications of each wing stalling but that's probably ridiculous...

Tag · #8 07-20-2018, 02:06 PM

Mine fit like yours. I just fabricated a replacement that fit much better. Just used the opening to trace out a new piece. I also used soft rivets to fill in the stall warning installation holes since I?m going with AOA...

I wonder why they had so much of a gap built in that panel?

fl-mike · #9 07-20-2018, 02:20 PM

Same here, made my own, twice!

Factory part fit was not to my standards.