RV-7A Main gear intersection fairing question

[Janekom]

There seems to be some discrepancy here. Does one bond the intersection fairings (bottom) to the wheel cover, or does one use plate nuts. Our idea is that you need to split it vertically if you are going to bond it. On the other hand if you use plate nuts, there is no need to split it vertically.

[Tony Kirk]

I bonded mine on, they are split and overlap to cover the gap like the wheel pants. See my reply in the following thread for a link to pictures and a vendor of pre-made fairings...

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ead.php?t=5296

[GaryK]

I would bond them on, it's a cleaner looking installation. Bob @ fairings ect. does a nice job. As with most things you still have some fitting to get the right fit.



Bob also supplies a small fairing for the nose wheel.



Gary N715AB

[Janekom]

Thanks guys! We will bond it.

[Janekom]

I now realize that we do not know how to fasten the upper main gear leg interface fairing. We are thinking about two platenuts on the bottom of the fuselage?

[GaryK]

I used 2 nutserts, one forward and one aft, the fairing splits on the inside and is held together with a small countersunk screw.



Gary
N715AB

[BigglesRV7A]

Gary,

You have done an nice job on your intersection fairings. I too elected to use Bob's intersection fairings and after comparing them with the Van's ones are pleased I went this way.

Just wondering if you've had any issues with 'wear and tear' particularly on the rear half of the lower intersection fairing? On another thread a builder indicated he initially butted his two intersection farings together though the rear one had started to crack. To remedy this he re-configured to have the join underlap the front half.

Cheers, Greg

[sglynn]

Might you have some photos of attaching the gear intersection fairing to the fuselage, and how do you keep the aft end closed?

thanks

[PIN 37]

Might you have some photos of attaching the gear intersection fairing to the fuselage, and how do you keep the aft end closed?

Same question here.?

[rzbill]

Originally Posted by PIN 37

Same question here.?

You can build a glob of flox on the inside of the fairing near the rear split and then use a stainless sheet metal screw (tapping thread) to hold the rear tightly together.

The top fairings required two screws, one in the cabin floor and one in the wing fairing. Once you get it built, use your fingers to find the places that hold the fairing tightly in place.


On the lower intersection fairings, I did not glass my fairings on. This is because I looked at the pictures in the construction manual and did not read a single word..... The pictures show attachment with nutplates and construction of a faired "pocket". Its fine. I do not like the vertical split method. Seen plenty of poor fitting fairings done that way. I like the rear split much better. There is a technique to glass the whole intersection fairing to the nose fairing and maintain the rear split. I may do that some day but it is WAY down the list of priorities.