13-02, Step 5, AEX TIE DOWN PREPERATION

Burtonport · #1 02-04-2018, 06:37 AM

Hello. The wing spar assembly plans state to drill and tap the AEX Tie Down on both ends. Why do we have to tap to top end? Thanks.
Regards,
Damien

rgmwa · #2 02-04-2018, 06:52 AM

I believe it was to facilitate hoisting the plane up if that was going to be a useful feature for some builders. There's a #30 hole in the top wing skin just above the tie-down point, but as far as I know, nearly all builders have just put a rivet in it. I tapped both ends of the AEX block, but in hindsight the top one wasn't necessary.

Burtonport · #3 02-04-2018, 08:22 AM

Thanks for the reply. An I/A friend of mine also thought that it might be useful for a hoist.
Regards,
Damien

Rob H · #4 02-04-2018, 02:55 PM

I?ve heard this question asked before. There were several jokes such as gun mount, external drop tanks, etc.
For the record, I plugged the hole in the skin with a rivet and did not tap both ends.

DaveWelch · #5 02-07-2018, 09:50 PM

I figured the top hole and mount might be useful later, so I tapped it per instructions and put a rivet in the upper skin above. It?s another minuscule weight savings and the threads are there if needed for a camera (or gun mount). One mistake I made was to use the first tap I found in my garage. Right size, wrong thread pitch. Lesson: read the directions, read them again, measure twice, cut once!

rv9builder · #6 02-07-2018, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgmwa

I believe it was to facilitate hoisting the plane up if that was going to be a useful feature for some builders.

I wonder how much weight the top tiedown(s) can support?

Bob Y · #7 02-08-2018, 10:27 AM

So, if one did use the top tie-down for lifting, does anyone know what the sanctioned method is for covering the hole?

funflying · #8 02-08-2018, 11:41 AM

Mine has a rivet in the top skin to fill that unused hole.

Also there was mentioned using the top access for a holding device to hang the plane. I recall a prior thread from a group in Switzerland where an RV12 hung from a hangar ceiling with many other aircraft also hanging and many below. The post wrote about the limited space issues in their area.

rgmwa · #9 02-08-2018, 02:51 PM

One day when I have to give up flying, I'll donate my 12 to the Smithsonian. All they have to do is drill out 2 rivets and hang it up. Vans think of everything.

RFSchaller · #10 02-11-2018, 06:58 PM

Always looking for a tax dodge, Bob?!