pierre smith
Well Known Member
My concern is with how it might add an untested load to the wing spars..
Vans themselves say don't do this.. (or that's what they said on the 10 anyway)..
How do you know its safe? This is math that is beyond me =)
Years ago when I often ferried Cessna Agwagons, we often got to talking with their engineers. We were told that the Cessna 310 with its main tanks in the tips allowed them lighter spars because the weight out there actually lessened the spar loads. The added weight is not on the center section and causes less bending force.
In this particular case, the added 168 lbs would mean that you A) Either have that much less useful load, or
B) Raise the weight on the paperwork to include that extra weight. There is another caveat..spins. The Grumman American was/is placarded against spins because the fuel would be slung out toward the wingtips (In its tubular spar/fuel tanks), and spin recovery may not be possible, because of the outboard moment of inertia..kind like spinning a barbell from its center with the weights outboard.
Best,
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