WHATS WRONG WITH USING VELCRO?

[George in Langley BC]

Hi Builders

I am just starting on the gear leg fairings on my 7A and as I was laying in bed thinking about the trailing edge hinges the question popped into my head, whats wrong with using Velcro?

Advantages are lighter and simpler, only worry is how long the Velcro glue will stay attached to the epoxy fairing.

Anyone have any comments on how well industrial quality Velcro will stay attached in a very small load application??

[vlittle]

Originally Posted by George in Langley BC

Hi Builders

I am just starting on the gear leg fairings on my 7A and as I was laying in bed thinking about the trailing edge hinges the question popped into my head, whats wrong with using Velcro?

Advantages are lighter and simpler, only worry is how long the Velcro glue will stay attached to the epoxy fairing.

Anyone have any comments on how well industrial quality Velcro will stay attached in a very small load application??

Hey George... too exicted about Santa arriving?

Here's the stuff you need 3M Dual Lock. They even offer types that can be riveted in place.

The only limitation is the lower temperature limit. You'll need to pore through the datasheet to see if this applies in the static application, or only applies if you are pulling them apart.

Merry Christmas, Chocks!

Vern

[hevansrv7a]

Maybe you have thought this through, but it seems to me that it would be much harder to find the exact position for the velcro that will bring the trailing edges of the leg fairings snugly together and still not put too much pressure on the velcro. It will surely be lighter! I would like to know how this works out, too. Thanks.

[RV7Guy]

I think the biggest issue would be the velcro or the other stuff mentioned, will not provide the necessary stiffness to the trailing edge of the fairing. You don't want the fairing flexing or you'll never be in trim. The hinge system is quite quick to build and very efficient.

The 3M stuff mentioned has incredible grabbing power. So much so I think you might have trouble getting the thing undone!!!

[gmcjetpilot]

OK someone has to say it. Lets stop beating around the bush. No. Bad idea. Why?

"Build it per plans"

If you follow the mantra, "Build it per plans", chance is you will fly sooner, lighter, cheaper and it work well. The piano hinge or bonding it on perminatly is the time honored tradition.

Go it alone, chance is you'll add time, cost and problems.

You really don't need a removable gear leg faring any way. How many times has the gear leg fairing come off in 1000 hours? zero.

I'm going to guess velco is not cheap. Also you want to have the gear leg TE's locked in postion, both edges flush and aligned. If it comes undone it could cause some grief and vibration. No. Bad idea. Why? Sorry someone had to say it.

[KTM520guy]

Don't be like the herd, walk your own path.

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by KTM520guy

Don't be like the herd, walk your own path.

Ha ha ha, well normally I'd agree, but in aviation walking your own path is like the lone straggler wildebeest / antelope in the herd, it gets eaten by the lion. What kind of dent would the gear leg fairing make in the tail?

[KTM520guy]

The original poster gets a "A" from me for thinking outside the box. Myself, I'll use the piano hinge even though I hate that stuff. I don't think velcro would be totaly bad. If you use upper and lower fairings,they will hold the gear leg fairing in place. Don't forget, a lot of times there is a hose clamp at the top of the fairing. I'm pretty sure it's not going anywhere.

[kentb]

Originally Posted by KTM520guy

Don't forget, a lot of times there is a hose clamp at the top of the fairing. I'm pretty sure it's not going anywhere.

The fiberglass under my hose clamp broke the first flight it made.

Kent

[Dgamble]

Originally Posted by kentb

The fiberglass under my hose clamp broke the first flight it made.

Kent

I'm working on that part right now. Did you lay any additional glass under the fiberglass tab?